An evaluated gait-driven finite element framework for transfemoral limb–socket interface biomechanics and socket design evaluation
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Background Residual limb–socket interface mechanics are central to transfemoral prosthetic comfort and stability, but their dependence on socket material, regional pressure loading, interfacial slip ( δ slip ), and interfacial friction ( µ ) remains insufficiently quantified under physiological gait loading. This study aimed to develop a gait-driven FE framework for controlled pre-fabrication comparison of material- and interface-dependent socket responses under stance-phase loading. Methods A unilateral transfemoral limb–socket FE model was developed using trial-specific stance-phase gait data digitised from the dynamic residual limb–socket coupling experiments reported by Tang et al. in 2015. Vertical ground reaction forces ( v GRFs) and residual femur–socket rotations were applied as model inputs, while axial coupling length was used for model evaluation. Four trial-specific simulations were compared with experimental measurements using Pearson correlation coefficient ( r P ), RMSE, and NRMSE. The model was then applied to a controlled comparison of ten candidate socket materials under identical geometry, loading, and contact conditions, quantifying structural safety ( R ), contact pressure, δ slip , and shear stress ( τ max ). µ was further varied to quantify its influence on residual-limb soft-tissue stress and coupled contact behaviour. Results The model reproduced the main temporal pattern of stance-phase axial coupling in the analysed single-subject dataset, showing very strong temporal association and acceptable point-wise discrepancy ( r P = 0.906; 95% CI 0.848–0.943; RMSE 3.32 mm; NRMSE 12.23%; p < 0.001). Higher-stiffness and higher-strength sockets provided greater structural safety margins. Contact pressure exhibited pronounced spatiotemporal non-uniformity, with posterior (P) and adjacent regions carrying the highest loads. Higher socket stiffness delayed high-slip onset by 22.59% of the gait cycle and reduced slip build-up rate by approximately 57.01%, whereas τ max showed only negligible dependence on stiffness (< 2%). Soft-tissue maximum von Mises stress ( σ vM, max ) exhibited a non-monotonic dependence on µ , reaching a model-specific near-minimum across µ = 0.6–0.7. Conclusion Within this model-evaluation scope, the gait-driven FE framework provides a quantitative pre-fabrication basis for comparing material- and interface-dependent socket responses. Broader patient-specific interpretation requires further validation using additional subjects and direct interface measurements.
Language: English
Subfield: Biomedical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,990
OpenAlex ID: W7220292018
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