The benefits of thermal imaging for prosthetics
The quantitative measure of the state of the residual limb perfusion which is revealed by thermal maps may provide important information about:
- Existing defects of the socket, that during walking translate into excessive forces and in turn temperature increase
- Skin inflammations, e.g., as the result of the liner leading to excessive humidity and heating
- The classification and treatment of phantom limb pain
Thermography can support the study of the stump and the clinical decisions for:
- Adjusting the socket design
- The localization of painful points to support the physician in the definition of analgesic therapy (e.g., laser therapy, capacitive-resistive-therapy);
- The localization of inflammatory situations supporting the clinician in the custom construction of the socket or in planning for a proper and localized anti-inflammatory therapy;
- The localization of thrombotic phenomena in amputees for peripheral vascular causes, in order to check the status of the limb before and after the prosthesis.
Example images
Pin lock - sleeve suspension
Sleeve suspension - vacuum connection
Posterior flap
Skew flap