New Text: Above-Knee Prosthesis Technology

Paul van de Veen is a brilliant engineer from the Netherlands with a lifelong interest in prosthetic and orthotic components, particularly knee mechanisms. Dr. van de Veen has an uncanny ability to systematically analyze the plethora of existing knee designs, categorizing them so their similarities and differences can be readily understood.

New text discusses the underlying mechanical principles and biomechanical implications of 220 commercially available prosthetic knee mechanisms.

Last Fall, he published an excellent textbook in Dutch summarizing his wealth of experience and analyses of prosthetic knees. This important contribution to prosthetic literature is now available in English as well.

The title, "Above-Knee Prosthesis Technology" is misleading. As the Preface suggests, the focus of this 150 page soft-cover treatise is really a comprehensive discussion of mechanical prosthetic knees and their performance. Dr. van de Veen has studied more than 200 currently available knee components, including products from Scandinavia, Russia, and the Orient that are rarely seen in North America. This is undoubtedly the most extensive single source for such information in the world.

In typical engineer fashion, Dr. van de Veen offers several different classification schemes to categorize the cornucopia of available knees. This thorough approach makes it clear that our understanding of these components is not yet mature. This point is underscored by the discussion of several previously unknown polycentric designs that have been discovered in just the past decade, including the 2 bar GeoFlex and the 6 bar Total Knee products.

At times, I found the prose difficult to understand, although after one or two re-readings I could usually deduce the author's intent. Some of the descriptors are not familiar terms to clinicians, but with concentration and careful pondering, the meaning becomes clear. I'm not sure if this is due to the author's engineering perspective or if it is simply an artifact of the translation from the original Dutch.

The line drawings that fill this manuscript are very effective in illustrating how each different knee functions. And, the detailed discussions of the implications for stance and swing phase function are invaluable. Perhaps half of the book consists of a detailed and fascinating discussion of the full range of polycentric designs currently or historically available worldwide.

In short, this is a remarkable publication summarizing a lifetime of insights into the sometimes-confusing realm of prosthetic knee mechanisms. This is a "must-read" for any professional who wants to understand the scope and breadth of these component options, and an essential addition to any prosthetic library. The text can be ordered directly from the author at: info@vandeveen.nl.

Reader Comments: Read all user comments S.W.A.S.H. Orthosis I need additional input from you reguarding this thing. ( or suggest someone) According to the supplier all kinds of studies are ongoing by major players in the o and p community T cant find anybody I talked to Charlie Johnson MD from Scott... read more - John Link BOC RTO   9/4/2001 Re: S.W.A.S.H. Orthosis I am finishing my Thesis for my Advanced Masters in Pediatric and Geriatric Neurological Disorders at UT Memphis. My topic is "The Effects of the Standing, Walking and Sitting Hip Orthosis on Spastic Diplegia Gait". I am preparing my defen... read more - Debbie W. Jelks,PT   11/19/2001 Re: Re: S.W.A.S.H. Orthosis Please send any information on your experiences using the SWASH orthosis on children with CP. Thanks, Robin. - Robin Pasterski, PT   3/30/2006 Re: Re: S.W.A.S.H. Orthosis I am a third year student in NJ who is looking for studies on the SWASH. I would like to do an inservice on this topic as quite a few of the children are now coming in with this orthotic. I would greatly appreciate it if you would share y... read more - jamie impreveduto   1/11/2006 Re: Re: S.W.A.S.H. Orthosis I, too, would appreciate reading your results on this, since a new 14 year old patient has one and DOESN"T like it or use it. - Maureen   8/29/2003 Re: Re: S.W.A.S.H. Orthosis Hello. I am responsible for business development assistant in Thailand and I'm searching and studying about the S.W.A.S.H. for CP children. But in Thailand, there is a little data about it and it isn't enough. I would be grateful if you c... read more - Kannika Numuang   8/1/2003 Re: Re: S.W.A.S.H. Orthosis Hi, I would love to see your results of your study on the swash brace. - Debbie Strobach, MA, PT   7/15/2003 Re: Re: S.W.A.S.H. Orthosis Hi, I would love to see your results of your study on the swash brace. - Debbie Strobach, MA, PT   7/15/2003 Re: Re: S.W.A.S.H. Orthosis hello i am a final year PT student in NZ, and i have been treating a 3 year old child with athetoid CP. We trialed a SWASH brace with him, and saw quite marked improvements in both sitting and walking. I am currently looking for some clin... read more - Teresa Clark   7/25/2002 Re: Re: Re: S.W.A.S.H. Orthosis I would love to read of your results, can you share them? - Maureen   8/29/2003 Heated shoes The link to the factory that makes microprocessor-controlled, heated shoes was spelled wrongly. It should be www.klaveness.no - Steve Collier   8/30/2001 Composite fiber-reinforced structures/ Principles and failures Thanks for the kind words John, BUT the credit must go to Ross Stewart (rehab eng, @ REHAB Tech) and Andreas Wurshing (Otto Bock) for really "making" the IC a success..I was only a bit player. Well done guys!. Bill - Bill Contoyannis   8/8/2001 Anuncio del Curso sobre Interfases de Silicón,para Amputaciones Transfemora Estimado Sr. John Michael C.P.O. le enviamos este correo desde la Ciudad de Mexico, para informarle del Curso sobre Interfases de Silicon para Amputaciones Transfemorales que llevara a cabo la Sociedad Méxicana de Ortesistas y Protesistas.... read more - Alberto E. Castillo Moreno O.P.   8/4/2001