“One day there will hopefully be a new knee joint available that you helped to create!”
Children with lower limb loss can help test a new, affordable prosthetic knee that is currently under development at Imperial College London.
After three years of intense research and development, the brand new prosthetic knee is ready and waiting for children and young people aged 5 and over to try out!
Your child could provide invaluable feedback during a fun, family-friendly day at Imperial College London. Travel expenses to London will be covered by Imperial College.
Researcher Caitlin Edgar says: “We want to make sure every child has access to a prosthetic limb no matter where they live. We have been working hard with children and teenagers all over the world to understand what changes you want for a new, affordable prosthetic knee.
Exciting new features
“If you are or have a child or teenager with lower limb loss above or through the knee joint, we want to hear from you. We need your help to try the knee and tell us what you think!
“As you know, meningitis is a significant cause of limb loss for children in the UK and amputation may be one of the treatment methods employed.
“Innovation in children’s prosthetics is falling behind adults and it is our mission to change this and focus on delivering prosthetics designed for and by children. We have created an exciting new features design in different sizes."
Part of a fun day trip
The feedback day is open to all who fit the criteria, and can take place at your convenience on weekends, school holidays or during the week.
The day will include fun tasks to see how participants walk and move with their own knee joint, and then with the prosthetic knee.
The knee design has stemmed from extensive questionnaire research projects with children and their families in the UK and Cambodia. It has been evaluated throughout by prosthetists and clinicians.
Interested in taking part
Caitlin added: “One day there will hopefully be a new knee joint available that you helped to create!”
If you’re the parent of a child with lower limb loss and would like to find out more or be interested in taking part, please get in touch with Caitlin at Imperial College London by emailing caitlin.edgar17@imperial.ac.uk.
