Acceptability of an Interim Socket System

Overview

This study will explore the acceptability of an interim socket system to new patients with a below-knee amputation and also to NHS healthcare providers.

After a transtibial amputation, post-operative swelling, followed by muscle wasting, can lead to residual limb volume changes during the first 12 months. Managing this volume change often involves many socket modifications and/or replacement sockets. These multiple re-casts can be burdensome for the patient and delay recovery as patients are unable to mobilise and progress in an ill-fitting socket, leading to increased health resource use and costs. An alternative technology exists involving an interim (aka confidence) socket whereby thermoplastic material is moulded onto the patient's residual limb and a socket is produced in a single session. This material can then be heated and remoulded quickly and comfortably, so that the patient accommodates to a single socket that can be adjusted as required to volume changes. The confidence socket system could make the casting and prosthetic fitting process more efficient and cost-effective and improve the speed of delivery of the interim prosthesis. Thus a patient could start gait re-training with their confidence socket earlier compared to the standard treatment of fitting a laminate or polypropylene socket. The aim of this pilot study is to assess the acceptability of the confidence socket to NHS healthcare providers and their patients, during an initial 3-month prosthetic fitting period. Amputee participants will be recruited from 2 NHS sites. They will receive standard pre-prosthetic physiotherapy treatment until their primary MDT appointment, when they will be cast for their first prosthesis using the confidence socket which will replace standard care with the usual socket. Prescription of prosthetic foot components will continue as per usual care. Once the confidence socket is complete the patient will begin treatment according to usual physiotherapy rehabilitation. Amputee participants will be interviewed about their experience of receiving treatment with the confidence socket. Healthcare providers delivering the treatment will also be interviewed about their acceptability of the confidence socket within the NHS pathways.

Conditions

Interventions

Eligibility

Locations (2)

Outcomes