Above-knee prosthetics

Introduction In any discussion of the development of technology as applied to the rehabilitation of the above-the-knee amputee, we must first acknowledge the many contributions of European pioneers in this field. In Europe the needs resulting from World War I resulted in greatly accelerated research and development in the field of prosthetics technology during the next three decades. This research included scientific studies of the biomechanics of human walking, alignment principles, and methods of fitting for above-koee prostheses. Notable examples were the work of Braune and Fischer on human gait, and the publications of Dr. Schede and others on scientific principles of fitting and alignment. The list of German and Austrian contributors to prosthetic technology is long and distinguished. Their literature and professional meetings have always included a series of lively discussions between proponents of different construction systems and prosthetic component designs. In 1946 a U.S. Army Commission under the direction of Col. L. T. Peterson made a study of European prosthetics technology. They were particularly impressed with the work of Haberman and Schneider in Germany. A major recommendation of this commission was for the introduction of the so-called “suction socket” for the above-knee amputee into American prosthetic practice. Responsibility for supervision of this programme was delegated to the University of California at Berkeley and a series of schools and clinical trials were successful in ‘introducing this new fitting technique into the United States during the 1946-1948 period. In 1949 a second group led by Dr. V. T. Inman and Professor H. D. Eberhart visited Europe