(1) Background: Pediatric activity-specific prosthetic adaptations—such as running blades or cycling attachments—enable children’s participation in recreational activities, otherwise limited with daily use prostheses (DUPs). However, there is little information regarding their design, manufacturing process, and biomechanical performance. This review addresses this gap by systematically analyzing the current literature on upper and lower limb amputations, and offers a novel synthesis to inform future research. (2) Methods: A review of the literature published in English between 2005 and 2025 was conducted using databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. We included studies focusing on amputation, prosthetics, and 3D printing. (3) Results: Running and cycling prostheses are among the most extensively studied in recent years. Comfort is reported as a key aspect for achieving an optimal outcome, and innovations in sockets align with biomechanical principles of amputation. However, high costs remain a significant barrier. (4) Conclusions: Advancements in design, material choices, and techniques, such as 3D printing (3DP), have been central to the development of novel activity-specific prostheses for children. However, the current literature focuses mainly on track sports and cycling. This, as well as the lack of accessible key information behind the development of these devices, showcases the present gap between the pediatric and adult research fields.

Prosthetic Devices for Adaptative Sport in Pediatrics: A Narrative Review

Tofani, Marco;
2025-01-01

Abstract

(1) Background: Pediatric activity-specific prosthetic adaptations—such as running blades or cycling attachments—enable children’s participation in recreational activities, otherwise limited with daily use prostheses (DUPs). However, there is little information regarding their design, manufacturing process, and biomechanical performance. This review addresses this gap by systematically analyzing the current literature on upper and lower limb amputations, and offers a novel synthesis to inform future research. (2) Methods: A review of the literature published in English between 2005 and 2025 was conducted using databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. We included studies focusing on amputation, prosthetics, and 3D printing. (3) Results: Running and cycling prostheses are among the most extensively studied in recent years. Comfort is reported as a key aspect for achieving an optimal outcome, and innovations in sockets align with biomechanical principles of amputation. However, high costs remain a significant barrier. (4) Conclusions: Advancements in design, material choices, and techniques, such as 3D printing (3DP), have been central to the development of novel activity-specific prostheses for children. However, the current literature focuses mainly on track sports and cycling. This, as well as the lack of accessible key information behind the development of these devices, showcases the present gap between the pediatric and adult research fields.
2025
activity-specific prostheses, pediatric, amputation, recreational activities
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14085/53521
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