Measuring Residual Limb Skin Temperatures at the Skin-Prosthesis Interface

Abstract

In Brief Within the prosthesis, the residual limb is often subjected to a hot and moist environment which is both uncomfortable and potentially harmful. Many amputees have expressed their frustration with this situation, and dermatological studies have shown how this environment can compromise the skin health of the residual limb. Despite this, designs to reduce the residual limb skin temperature have received little or no attention. The purpose of this article is to describe a relatively straightforward technique for measuring the temperature at the skin-prosthesis interface. This is an important step towards creating a more comfortable and innocuous prosthesis. Within the prosthesis, the residual limb is often subjected to a hot, moist environment that is both uncomfortable and potentially harmful. The instrument described in this paper provides a means to quantify the thermal environment at the skin-prosthesis interface-a necessary step before further research can be conducted to explore the effects of different socket and suspension system materials and geometry intended to provide a more thermally comfortable and innocuous prosthesis.