Current concepts in above-knee socket design.

Abstract

To review the fundamental tenets of above-knee socket design proposed by Radcliffe nearly 40 years ago, sockets must be designed to achieve vertical support of body weight, stabilization of the residual skeleton in both the coronal and sagittal planes, accommodation of functioning muscles, voluntary control of the prosthetic knee, individualized design, and an optimum balance of comfort, function, and appearance, both statically and dynamically. Contemporary approaches represent enhancements and refinements toward these ends, but each of these fundamental goals must be satisfied no matter what socket design is selected.