Artificial Legs
67CHAPTER
625
Artificial legs can be (and often are) made at
home or in village shops. How well they work
and how natural they look depend on many things,
including costs, skills, and materials available.
BELOW THE KNEE
The most common leg amputation is below the
knee. A leg that has been amputated halfway
between the knee and ankle works best for walking
with an artificial limb. Here are some examples of
artificial limbs, from simple to more complex.
Even a simple artificial limb
can make a big difference.
WITH THE KNEE BENT
HAND-HELD
POLE LEGS
‘SAWED-OFF
CRUTCH’ LEG
leather or
canvas
bands
padding
padding
plastic
or wood
leg
support
canvas or
leather
sling for
knee
block of
wood or
piece of
plastic
curved to
fit leg
prop
sawed-off
crutch
CAUTION: Limbs like these 3 are quick and easy
to make, but they cause knee contractures. As a
result, the knee cannot be easily straightened to fit
a better, more useful limb. Bent-knee limbs should
only be for temporary or emergency use. Do
exercises every day to keep the knee straight and
strong. (See p. 229 and 230.)
WITH THE KNEE STRAIGHT
BAMBOO AND
PLASTER LEG
(See p. 628.)
PLASTIC PIPE
LEG WITH FOOT
(See p. 632.)
bamboo
plastic
pipe
(PVC)
These limbs are better because
the knee has full range of
motion. Walking is easier
and more natural. However,
the person’s weight must be
supported evenly over the
entire stump, not only at the
end of the stump. (See p. 631.)
Positions for
FITTING A LIMB
BAD
will only
work with
a bent-knee
limb
DIFFICULT
knee does
not straighten
fully
GOOD
knee
straightens
completely