A Narrative Review of Prosthesis Design Decision Making After Lower-Limb Amputation for Developing Shared Decision-Making Resources

This narrative review explores available information on the process for prosthesis design and factors influencing prosthesis design decision making, to support prosthesis user’s participation in shared decision making about lower-limb prosthesis design.

The prosthesis design process involves the fabrication of a first prosthesis and/or adjustments to a prosthesis throughout the life of the prosthesis user. Factors that influence prosthesis design decisions are extensive and may be specific to the individual prosthesis user, to prosthesis design options, the available resources, and/or the environment.

This review offers foundational information for a prosthesis user’s participation in shared decision making for prosthesis design, including the process of prosthesis design and factors influencing prosthesis design decisions. Future research is needed to further describe the timing of prosthesis design decisions, prosthesis design changes over time, and the role of physical and life changes of a prosthesis user on prosthesis design decisions.