Biomechanics of the elbow joint for transhumeral prostheses
Three types of upper limb prosthetic are compared:
1) Body powered upper limb prosthetics use tension cable, screw, joint and socket. Movement is therefore dependant on shoulder power. The pressure increases greatly in the socket before the movement is produced.2) Myoelectric prosthetics rely on body power and force to generate movement. Due to the components used, the prosthetic itself can be heavy, which increases the socket pressure.3) A prosthetic socket which incorporates the air splint socket system uses pressure sensors, which transfers pressure to the microprocessor and adapt the socket depending on the data received. Again, the components can be weighty, however this system allows good adaptation to increased force on the prosthetic.
Those using the myoelectric prosthesis experienced the highest forces. Force experienced and torque at elbow joint are crucial in choosing the most applicable prosthetic for a patient.
> From: Razak et al., Biomed Eng Online 13 (2014) 134. All rights reserved to The Author(s). Click here for the Pubmed summary.
