IDS: An educational resource about prostheses and orthoses and the relevant prosthetic and orthotic procedures.

IDS ::: Prosthetics ::: Construction Overview

The socket will be attached or incorporated into the structure of the prosthesis. The structure will be one of the following categories:

An endoskeletal structure, i.e. with a “chassis” covered by a soft foam.
An exoskeletal structure where there is no inner chassis and all the rigidity is provided by the hollow outer structure, i.e. like a crab. These are generally a laminated material.
Some aluminium alloy prostheses still exist and a very small number of wooden prostheses may still exist. These exoskeletal prostheses are commonly referred to as Conventional Prostheses.
Have almost no structural strength i.e. a soft foam cosmetic prosthesis.
Have a homogenous silicone structure - silicone prostheses.

NB - While cosmetic covers are not strictly speaking a method of construction, the application of a cosmetic cover does generally represent the final stage in the construction process.

Use the links below to find out more information on 'Construction'

::: Endoskeletal ::: Exoskeletal ::: Conventional ::: Solely Cosmetic :::
::: Silicone ::: Cosmetic Covers :::