Transfemoral Prosthetic Types of Knee Joints

Transfemoral prosthetic are prosthetic legs that reach above the knee—that is, prostheses that replace a leg from which at least a portion of the thigh is missing. For any person who by chance or because of surgical intervention needs a prosthetic leg, the choice of what kind to use is a crucial one.

Exoskeletal Transfemoral Prostheses

• Exoskeletal transfemoral prostheses are one of the major categories of transfemoral prosthesis. They have a hard outer shell, usually made out of a lamination of composite materials. These types of prostheses cannot be adjusted once they are fitted to the user. They are very durable and a good choice for users involved in some sort of hard labor, such as farming or construction.

Endoskeletal Transfemoral Prostheses

• Endoskeletal transfemoral prostheses, also called modular transfemoral prostheses, are constructed from softer material, and are made to both look and feel like human skin. They consist of a soft skin over a skeletal metal frame. This skin can be removed so that the inner section can be adjusted by a doctor as needed. Such models are very fragile and require very diligent care.

Silesian Bandage Transfemoral Prostheses

• Silesian bandage transfemoral prostheses are named for their suspension system, which uses a tightened bandage to attach the prosthesis to the stump. This is almost always a temporary measure.

TES Transfemoral Prostheses

• TES, or total elastic suspension, prostheses are similar in design to Silesian bandage prostheses, except they use a piece of elastic instead of a bandage. These prostheses are considered more comfortable than Silesian bandage prostheses, and also have Velcro fasteners for easy removal.

Pelvic Belt Transfemoral Prostheses

• Pelvic belt transfemoral prostheses are attached to the patient through the use of a belt. These types of transfemoral prostheses are usually used with patients whose balance is particularly poor. However, it is also useful for patients with short limbs because of the system's overall stability.

Suction Transfemoral Prostheses

• Suction transfemoral prostheses use a suction method to connect the prosthesis to the residual limb. This is the most common type of transfemoral prosthesis. This type is best for relatively long residual limbs with very little scarring. Also, the residual limb must stay the same size, as the prosthesis is fitted exactly to the limb. The patient must have excellent balance in order for this sort of prosthesis to work properly.