Clinical Field Testing of Vulcanized Rubber Feet for Trans-Tibial Amputees in Tropical Low-Income Countries

Abstract

In a prospective, controlled study, 186 prosthetic rubber feet of different designs were fitted to amputees with trans-tibial prostheses. There were 158 amputees available for follow-up. The amputee compliance was good and 89% were satisfied with their device. After 18 months of use one VI-Solid rubber foot from VVAF in Cambodia had failed, as compared to 11% failures with the same foot with a heel cavity, 3% with the EB-1 sandwich construction from POF in Vietnam, all performing significantly better than the 62% encountered with the vulcanized rubber foot from ICRC in Cambodia; the latter representing half of the feet failing in amputees walking bare-footed. Nearly all failures were located at the foot-sole or the keel. The failure rate was 20% for the HI-Cambodia foot after 12 months. After 24 months of use, still only one VI-Solid rubber foot had failed and this foot design was found superior to the others in regard of durability.