The Prosthetic Socket

The SocketThe prosthetic socket is the basis for connecting a user with his or her prosthesis.

In typical cases, the prosthetic user wears a gel sock-like liner over what remains of his or her limb, which when slipped into the prosthetic socket, creates a natural vacuum that keeps the artificial limb securely attached to it.

Thus, the prosthetic socket must exactly conform to the size and shape of what remains of one’s missing limb. If it doesn’t, the functionality of the prosthesis will be negatively affected. And there will be discomfort and/or pain.

This means the prosthetic socket must be totally customized, which is why the design and fabrication of a comfortable, well-functioning socket can be a challenge and frequent source of complaint among prosthetic patients.

In the past, discomfort was experienced because sockets were typically fabricated of wood or hard plastic, whereby it was virtually impossible to achieve a perfect fit. Today, very often discomfort happens when prosthetists take a “cookie-cutter” approach to fabricating the socket: there simply are no “off-the-shelf” options for optimal comfort and utility.