Interface Kinematics of Transhumeral Prosthetic Sockets Using XROMM

• X-Ray Reconstruction of Moving Morphology (XROMM) [ Time Frame: After 4 weeks of home use ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  XROMM is a bi-plane videoradiography system designed to accurately measure 3-D in vivo skeletal kinematics. It will be used to examine motion of residual bone, soft tissue and socket.
  
  

• Trinity Amputations and Prosthetics Experience Satisfaction Scale (TAPES) [ Time Frame: after 2 weeks of home use of each socket type ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  This is a 10 item scale related to prosthetic satisfaction which includes questions about extent of satisfaction regarding functional characteristics of the artificial limb: reliability, comfort, fit, and overall satisfaction, contentment with cosmetic characteristics of the device.
  
  
• Prosthetic Evaluation Questionnaire (PEQ) [ Time Frame: after 2 weeks of home use of each socket type< ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  The study will utilize 5 pertinent items from the PEQ related to: 1) temperature and texture of socket, 2) sweat inside socket, 3) sweat inside socket, 4) fit of prosthesis, 5) impact of swelling of residual limb on fit of prosthesis.
  
  

In the past decade, advances in upper limb socket design and technology have been proposed to increase comfort and decrease perceived weight of the prosthesis. There have been no scientific studies to date that have evaluated the benefits of these designs, and thus no evidence to support use of one type of prosthetic socket design over another. Thus, the overall purpose of this pilot study is to conduct a head-to-head comparison of two designs for transhumeral level upper limb prosthetic sockets: a traditional socket design and a socket design hypothesized to provide greater skeletal stabilization.