Addressing Global Disparities in Prosthetic Mobility: An Experimental Evaluation of Ankle-Foot Orthosis for Sustainable and Efficient Integration with Vehicle Structures and Systems

Abstract

Over the past two decades, the prosthetic foot industry has made significant advancements, greatly enhancing the quality of life for individuals with lower limb amputations in industrialized countries. However, these innovations remain out of reach for many in less developed regions due to high costs, limited durability, maintenance demands, and accessibility challenges. There is an urgent need to develop highly functional, cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and resilient prosthetic feet that can withstand challenging environmental conditions and frequent use to achieve a human-like "spring-like" motion in prosthetic feet while optimizing performance and reducing production costs, the elastic properties of constituent materials play a crucial role. This study focuses on analyzing the mechanical properties of ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs), particularly examining structural stiffness, rotational mobility, and strut deflection, to identify design elements that can enhance functionality for individuals with diabetes, AFO’s are often provided alongside appropriate footwear to prevent foot ulcers. These interventions effectively reduce plantar peak pressure (PPP) in specific areas of interest (ROI). This research aims to identify the most suitable materials for creating AFOs by conducting a comparative assessment of three standard materials through experimental calculations by bridging the gap between cutting-edge prosthetic technology and the need for cost-effective, sustainable mobility solutions in both industrialized and less developed regions, this study contributes to the development of AFOs that can integrate effectively with vehicle structures and systems, thereby improving the quality of life for a wider range of individuals worldwide.