Pistoning measurement in lower limb prostheses - A literature review

Abstract

Pistoning is said to be one of the major indicators of optimal suspension of lower limb prosthesis. Manufacturers of prosthetic components have always tried to come up with new innovative suspension systems to lessen pistoning. Some have attempted to decrease the pistoning by targeting the skin-liner interface and others have been working on the surface between liner and hard socket. The objective of this study was to review the literature regarding pistoning in lower limb prosthesis in order to evaluate objective data in sense of methods used for assessing pistoning during static and dynamic conditions with different prosthetic suspension systems and components and their reported advantages and disadvantages. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.