Prosthetic knee for short stump

As an amputee having a short stump, a major requirement for my prosthetic leg is low weight of the prosthetic knee joint.

My new prosthetic knee, the Very Good Knee – Short Transfemoral (VGK-S), is specifically designed for above knee amputees having a short stump (as well as hip disarticulation amputees). Previously, I had to choose between acceptable weight OR advanced functionality. The Very Good Knee – Short Transfemoral gives me both, and that has been another major improvement for my quality of life.

The major innovation of this prosthetic knee is the high centre of gravity, having the hydraulic above the knee axis, unlike all other prosthetic knee joints on the market. Why? Because the manufacturers have a One Size Fits All strategy. For the majority of above knee amputees, there is no room ABOVE the knee axis because of the length of the stump, and for those above knee amputees having a longer stump weight is not so much a problem. But the shorter the stump is, the more the weight of the prosthesis -and in particular of the prosthetic knee- does become a problem.

Image you hold a hammer at the distant end of the handle. Now imagine you hold that same hammer at the hammerhead. It will feel MUCH lighter. This is the concept of the Very Good Knee – Short Transfemoral: By placing the hydraulic unit close to the body, there is a high centre of gravity resulting in a low moment of inertia – that is what an above knee amputee feels when wearing a prosthetic leg.

The Very Good Knee – Short Transfemoral has the same functions as the traditional Very Good Knee – Go!, as described in my comparison of prosthetic knee joints. Very important for me: This prosthetic knee is waterproof. See the video.