Method for making artificial limb sockets

A method for making artificial limb sockets for below the knee amputations comprising the steps of:

• covering a stump with one or more stockinettes;
• inflating a balloon having sufficient size to enclose the stump;
• invaginating the balloon over the stump and stockinettes by pushing the balloon over the stump while inflated thereby inverting said balloon;
• making boney prominences of the stump on the balloon using an indelible pencil that transfers to an abutting surface;
• applying a bandage of cotton soaked in plaster of paris to the balloon to form a mold;
• measuring the dimension across the outside of the mold at the adductor tubercle before the mold hardens;
• recording the adductor tubercle dimension;
• cutting the mold in one or more places behind the knee and removing the mold from the stump before the mold hardens;
• reestablishing the adductor tubercle dimension before the mold hardens;
• making a casting of the stump using the hardened mold;
• adding material to the boney prominence areas for comfort;
• and
• applying polyester over the stump casting to form a stump socket for an artificial limb.