A major part of your investment in a prosthesis is the prosthetic foot, there are many companies manufacturing prosthetic feet. It makes it even more complicated for the amputee to understand which foot will fulfill my major requirements, let us make it easier for you to understand, Major factors to play in the selection of a prosthetic foot are .. amputation level, age, weight, foot size, activity level, goals, and occupational needs.
There are two major categories of the foot based on the material used
- Basic feet – they are basically made up of a rubberized material with a wooden or plastic keel. These feet provide some movement because of the compression of the rubberized material during walking and are usually prescribed to old age people or low-activity users as stability is the prime requirement.
- Advance or energy storing and releasing foot(ESAR) Major material used in manufacturing is carbon fiber and carbon composite Since they are designed for moderate to high activity users. usually prescribed on the basis of two factors ie. weight and occupational requirements. they come in different sizes and specially designed for particular weight categories.
Patient age and amputation etiology should be viewed as secondary considerations in prosthetic foot type.
For patients ambulating at a single speed who require greater stability during weight acceptance because of weak knee extensors or poor balance, a SACH or basic single-axis foot should be considered.
Patients at elevated risks for overuse injury (i.e., osteoarthritis) to the contralateral lower limb and lower back are indicated for an ESAR foot to reduce the magnitude of the cyclical vertical impact forces experienced during weight acceptance.
Patients capable of variable speed and/or community ambulation are indicated for ESAR feet.