Background: Energy storage and return prosthetic feet
improve the mobility of lower-limb amputees but prosthetic
solutions available in the Under-Developed World do not
meet the needs of active amputees.
Case description and methods: This study aimed at
developing and testing a hand-manufactured low-cost
modular prosthetic foot with energy-return capabilities.
Carbon fiber layers of varying stiffness were assembled to
construct the toe section. Static tests were performed to
measure the overall foot stiffness and ensure that our
prototype withstands proof and ultimate loads. Two
unilateral amputees performed gait trials to assess the
prototype’s behaviour during gait.
Findings and outcomes: Interchangeable toe layers enabled
the prototype’s stiffness to vary between 31 and 40 N/mm,
to withstand proof and ultimate ISO loads, and to return
about 70% of the energy stored during loading. Two
amputees tested the foot and were able to maintain
temporal gait parameters within 10% of the values
measured when using their own prosthetic feet.
Conclusion: This study confirmed the feasibility of handmanufacturing
a low-cost modular composite fibre
prosthetic foot with energy return capabilities.