Dynamic investigation of interface stress on below-knee residual limb in a prosthetic socket

The dynamic effects of inertial loads on the interface stresses between a residual limb and the trans-tibial prosthetic socket were investigated. A 3-D nonlinear finite element model, based on the actual geometry of the residual limb, including internal bones and socket liner, was developed to study the mechanical interaction between the socket and the residual limb during walking. To simulate the friction/slip boundary conditions between the skin and liner, automated surface-to-surface contact was used. The results show that interface pressure and shear stress have a similar double-peaked waveform shape in the stance phase. And the average difference in interface stresses between the cases with and without consideration of inertial forces is 8.4% in the stance phase and 20.1% in the swing phase. The results suggest that the dynamic effects of inertial loads on interface stress distribution during walking must be considered in prosthetic socket design.