Clinical Fact: An amputee walking with a Below-Knee prosthesis requires only 10–20% additional metabolic energy compared to able-bodied walking, whereas an Above-Knee amputee expends 60–80% extra oxygen to propel an artificial knee joint.
1. Below-Knee (Transtibial) Prosthetics Explained
A Below-Knee amputation retains the patient’s natural anatomical knee joint. The artificial leg comprises three primary sections:
- Custom Total Surface Bearing (TSB) Socket: Form-fitted over the residual tibia/fibula bone.
- Medical Silicone Liner with Pin-Lock: Locks into the socket mechanism, avoiding clumsy straps.
- Dynamic Carbon Fiber Pylon & Foot: Replaces the missing foot, absorbing impact and providing forward bounce.
2. Above-Knee (Transfemoral) Prosthetics Explained
In Above-Knee amputations, the surgical cut occurs across the femur bone. Because the biological knee joint is missing, the prosthesis must include a high-tech artificial knee unit:
- Safety-Lock Knees: Mechanically lock when bearing weight to prevent accidental collapse.
- Polycentric Multi-Axis Knees: Simulate natural geometric rotation for smooth gait.
- Hydraulic & Bionic Microprocessor Knees: Automatically adjust resistance in real-time when walking down ramps or navigating Karachi stairs.
3. Recovery & Gait Training Comparison
At our DHA Phase-2 and Gulshan-e-Iqbal rehabilitation centers, Below-Knee patients typically start walking independently in 14 to 21 days. Above-Knee patients undergo structured parallel-bar training and balance conditioning, achieving confident mobility in 4 to 6 weeks.