The air bladder used to control the shape and volume is custom-made for the individual amputee. The air bladder is an integral part of the socket design. In other devices the air bladder is attached to the inside of the socket wall. The custom-made bladder and integral socket design together allow the prosthetist to precisely control the shape and location where the bladder pushes on the skin of the residual limb. It Up Socket that control the shape and volume of the socket can be of use to amputees that experience change in volume of the residual limb during the day.
All amputees experience some degree of daily volume change.
This is commonly accommodated by changing the thickness of the sock the amputee is wearing. Volume control by an air bladder may be warranted if the sock cannot provide adequate volume change, or the amputee cannot take off and put on the socket every time the sock needs to be changed. Investments in devices that maintain the quality of socket fit can be more cost-effective than compensatory adjustments to other parts of the artificial leg. Yours truly, Santosh Zachariah Room 341-C AERL Building.