The Jaipur Foot is an artificial limb prosthetic that has transformed the lives of millions of land mine victims and other amputees in India and other developing countries. They are light in weight and have great mobility.
Those who wear them can run, climb trees and pedal bicycles.
Unlike those prostheses in the West that can cost several thousand dollars, the low-cost Jaipur foot is truly affordable for mass distribution to the physically challenged in India and other developing countries.
The Jaipur foot incorporates a Rubber or Polyurethene foot, HDPE pipes, metallic or oilone joints and suitable ethaflex lining materials and stockinette.
Upon entering a Jaipur foot centre the amputee undergoes trauma counselling to prepare him to accept an artificial limb.
The technician then takes accurate measurements of the stump as well as the normal limb (for reference purposes) and makes a hollow cast. This is an extremely critical process as the accuracy of measurements leads to an artificial limb that is comfortable to wear and durable to maintain.
Plaster of Paris is then poured into the cast which then gives a model of the patient’s limb.
A pre-heated HDPE pipe or sheet is then pressed on to this mould resulting in a limb which assumes the natural shape of the limb.
The POP is broken and removed from the limb model, it is then finished and a rubber /polyurethane foot is attached. The prosthetic is then fitted with suitable leather belts to hold the prosthetic in place.
Subsequently, both Jaipur foot and Callipers patients undergo a series of exercises and gait training to familiarize themselves with the prosthetics and build adequate support muscles for a comfortable fit.
The patient is also advised on the proper care and maintenance of the Jaipur foot/Callipers.
