A comparative study of Muenster socket versus split socket with step-up hinge on very short transradial amputees

Persons with very short transradial stump find extreme difficulty in performing daily routine activities. The Muenster socket prosthesis was compared to split socket with step-up hinge prosthesis in this study, while both the designs were compared in terms of their advantages and functional effects on very short transradial amputees. A goniometer was used for measuring elbow joint range of motion by computing the angle from the axis of the joint for each specific joint, in addition to block box test study and kinetics of prosthesis. In block box test, mild increment with split socket with step-up hinge was observed as compared to the Muenster prosthesis. This may be due to amplification by split socket of the elbow joint motion and speed of the forearm with a terminal device. The statistical analysis of the data revealed that split socket with step-up hinge prosthesis provided better functional control for very short transradial amputees than the Muenster socket prosthesis.