Measuring lower-limb residual limb size fluctuations
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Measurement of residual limb size fluctuations of above-knee and through-knee prosthesis users
IRAS ID
357331
Contact name
Anthony M J Bull
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 7 months, 20 days
Research summary
This project is measuring how much the residual limbs of above-knee prosthesis users change between-days (medium-term) and within a day (short-term). Additionally, this study will compare measurements of male and female users, to identify whether sex-based differences exist.
Many people with lower limb absence experience changes in size of the residual limb. Size changes can cause the prosthetic fit to change, becoming either too tight or too loose, which can cause discomfort, pain, blisters, and often requires users to add socks to fill the space. To improve designs of prosthetic limbs to address this problem, a better understanding of the amount of size change experienced by this group of prosthesis users is needed. Previous measurements have mostly been done in below-knee users, and the participants are normally all or mostly male. The studies are also usually limited to short-term changes, with limited understanding of the medium-term changes, including factors such as diet and hydration, but also particularly the menstrual cycle for those who have one.
This study involves recruiting a group of male and female participants. Each participant will be asked to attend a session at the Imperial College White City Campus, where their residual limb will be measured repeatedly after periods of walking and standing, using a multi-camera system, to capture shorter-term size and shape changes.
They will then be asked to measure their own residual limb twice a day for the length of a menstrual cycle or 28 days, using basic measurement tools, while also recording information on prosthesis use, comfort, and other related factors.REC name
Wales REC 5
REC reference
26/WA/0055
Date of REC Opinion
17 Feb 2026
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion