Dynamic Corrective Force Device: A Balance Measure for Amputees

The loss of balance is a significant problem for those who have undergone lower-limb amputations. Studies have shown that 52.4% of lower-extremity amputees have reported falling in the previous year, and 66% of above-knee amputees report falling annually, which is twice the rate of able-bodied adults over the age of 65. Given this, it’s important to select the most appropriate components for each prosthetic device to maximize function while optimizing balance and stability to ultimately reduce the patient’s risk of falls. Therefore, we are developing a tool to provide quantitative measures of balance to the clinician to aid in the selection of prosthetic feet and other components to optimize a patient’s stability and functional needs.