SURVEY OF ABOVE-KNEE (A K) PROSTHESES CURRENTLY USED IN THE CHUGOKU-SHIKOKU DISTRICT OF JAPAN/

To determine the extent to which recent advances in biomechanical tech nology have been implemented and to evaluate these new technologies, 8 4 unilateral above knee (A/K) amputees and their prostheses were surve yed in the Chugoku-Shikoku district of Japan, especially in regard to the types, sockets and components of A/K prostheses currently in use. Background factors such as age and sex of the A/K amputees and the per iod after amputation were also surveyed, Of the 84 amputees surveyed, 74 (88.1%) were over 40 years old and 40 (47.6%) were over 60 years ol d. There were 10 women (11.9%) and 74 men (88.1%). The period after am putation was under 25 years in 58 (69.0%) cases, Regarding the type of A/K prostheses, one-third of the prostheses was of the exoskeletal ty pe and two-thirds were of the endoskeletal type, Although the endoskel etal type is becoming more popular recently, elderly A/K amputees tend to use the exoskeletal type. Thirty-one (36.9%) had plug-fit sockets which are preferable for those who follow the Japanese practice of sit ting on the floor, especially for elderly amputees. Thirty-seven (44.0 %) had a lock-knee, 27 (73.0%) of which were used by amputees over 60 years old. Seventy-three (86.9%) had a single-axis ankle which is gene rally considered to be the most stable ankle. Thus, the most common co mbination of prosthetic components for elderly A/K amputees was the pl ug-fit socket, lock-knee joint and single-axis ankle.