Benefits and durability of an affordable prosthetic silicone cushion liner locally manufactured in a resource-limited environment: Enabling adoption of TSB sockets and silicone cushion liners
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Introduction:
Prosthetic silicone liners improve comfort and skin protection and allow the use of total surface bearing (TSB) sockets, which provide enhanced proprioception and comfort. Unfortunately, silicone liners are cost-prohibitive in resource-limited environments (RLEs) where patellar tendon bearing (PTB) sockets with PE-lite liners remain standard, leading to patient discomfort and skin issues.
Objective:
This study evaluates the benefits and durability of an affordable silicone liner locally manufactured in an RLE to promote TSB socket adoption, aiming to enhance prosthetic care and patient outcomes.
Methods:
Ethical approval was granted by the Nepal Health Research Council. Twelve people with a unilateral transtibial amputation who were using a PTB socket with PE-lite participated in the study and received a new prosthesis (TSB socket with an affordable silicone liner). Participants performed mobility tests (2-Minute Walking Test, Timed Up and Go Test) and completed self-reported questionnaires for both prostheses. Liner durability was assessed.
Results:
Participant mobility improved while wearing the TSB socket and silicone liner. The new prosthesis was found to be comfortable, and there were no major problems identified although excessive sweating, typical with silicone liners, was reported. Liners were replaced after 6.1 (±3.1) months.
Conclusion:
A locally manufactured liner provided increased mobility and high levels of satisfaction. This affordable liner may be suitable for use in RLEs, enabling adoption of TSB sockets and improving rehabilitation outcomes of people with a transtibial amputation. However, durability concerns and excessive sweating would suggest that improvements can still be made.
Prosthetic silicone liners improve comfort and skin protection and allow the use of total surface bearing (TSB) sockets, which provide enhanced proprioception and comfort. Unfortunately, silicone liners are cost-prohibitive in resource-limited environments (RLEs) where patellar tendon bearing (PTB) sockets with PE-lite liners remain standard, leading to patient discomfort and skin issues.
Objective:
This study evaluates the benefits and durability of an affordable silicone liner locally manufactured in an RLE to promote TSB socket adoption, aiming to enhance prosthetic care and patient outcomes.
Methods:
Ethical approval was granted by the Nepal Health Research Council. Twelve people with a unilateral transtibial amputation who were using a PTB socket with PE-lite participated in the study and received a new prosthesis (TSB socket with an affordable silicone liner). Participants performed mobility tests (2-Minute Walking Test, Timed Up and Go Test) and completed self-reported questionnaires for both prostheses. Liner durability was assessed.
Results:
Participant mobility improved while wearing the TSB socket and silicone liner. The new prosthesis was found to be comfortable, and there were no major problems identified although excessive sweating, typical with silicone liners, was reported. Liners were replaced after 6.1 (±3.1) months.
Conclusion:
A locally manufactured liner provided increased mobility and high levels of satisfaction. This affordable liner may be suitable for use in RLEs, enabling adoption of TSB sockets and improving rehabilitation outcomes of people with a transtibial amputation. However, durability concerns and excessive sweating would suggest that improvements can still be made.
Date Issued
2025-06-01
Date Acceptance
2024-11-25
Citation
Prosthetics and Orthotics International, 2025, 49 (3)
ISSN
0309-3646
Publisher
Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
Journal / Book Title
Prosthetics and Orthotics International
Volume
49
Issue
3
Copyright Statement
© 2025 The Authors. Published by Wolters Kluwer incorporated on behalf of The International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0 (CCBY), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
License URL
Sponsor
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council (E
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council (E
Identifier
10.1097/PXR.0000000000000433
Grant Number
EP/X52556X/1
EP/X52556X/1
Subjects
0903 Biomedical Engineering
1106 Human Movement and Sports Sciences
Rehabilitation
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2025-01-22