The Niagara foot
a pilot study in VietnamThe Niagara foot
a pilot study in VietnamSamenvatting
In the Da Nang Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Centre (DNORC) many below-knee prosthesis are prescribed. These modular prostheses are developed and designed by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
For many years, the prostheses are used successfully. In the current situation, it is assumed that the prosthesis as a whole has an acceptable life-expectancy of three years. Still, there are some shortcomings in using this prosthesis; the current prosthetic foot has a significant lower life-expectancy (nine to fifteen months) than the rest of the prosthesis. This means that the foot has a life-expectancy of less than half the life-expectancy of the prosthesis as a whole.
With a donation of fifty donated Niagara feet, a solution might be found. However, the question is whether the foot is appropriate for use in the DNORC. This since the durability is not the only criteria for appropriate orthopedic technology in low-income countries.
To cover most of the appropriate criteria, questionnaires are used. These questionnaires for the technicians and patients function to measure the satisfaction level in using the Niagara foot.
The results show that mainly the patients are highly satisfied with their prosthesis. With an average score of 9,0 (on a scale 1 to 10), it can be concluded that the foot is appropriate for the patient.
However, looking at the prosthesists questionnaires, the results are fairly less satisfactory. The technicians experience many problems in assembling and fitting of the prosthesis with the Niagara foot. So far, the foot appeared to be suited with the patient completely wrong. This research has resulted in many discussion and deliberations. In this, it became clear that the technicians have little to no knowledge on prosthetic dynamic feet.
The occurring problems are solved along the implementation of this study. Fact is, that only in the end of this study, the foot is fitted with the patient as it should be according to the designers.
Reviewing the criteria for appropriate technology in Vietnam, the Niagara foot does not score all aspects. Mainly in low costs, the foot fails dramatically.
Hereby, the Niagara foot is stated to be partly appropriate for the DNROC; the patients are satisfied but; de foot does not score on all appropriate criteria; and the technicians are not (yet) satisfied in using this Niagara foot.
Organisatie | Fontys |
Opleiding | Orthopedische Technologie |
Afdeling | Fontys Paramedisch |
Partner | Da Nang Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Centre, Vietnam |
Datum | 2009-05-15 |
Type | Bachelor |
Taal | Engels |