Load bearing and suspension characteristics of airsplint as a temporary prosthesis.

Maximum weight bearing observed, using a static weighing scale, in above-knee amputees wearing an airsplint, with a foot, was 10 kg and in below-knee amputees 11 kg with inflation pressures of 40 mmHg. While airsplints with a foot permitted greater weight bearing before deformation occurred, the increase is judged to be of little clinical advantage. Use of an airsplint without a foot would be more efficient for immediate post-operative dressing and for early ambulation in the parallel bars as it is less cumbersome and not subject to toe drag in the swing phase of gait. With the type of airsplints studied inflation pressures above 45 mmHg offered no advantage in terms of weight bearing in the below-knee amputee. In the above-knee amputee similarly, inflation pressures over 40 mmHg offered no advantage and had the effect of reducing the suspension of the prosthesis on the stump.