Pioneering Prosthetic Innovation in Nepal: Testing silicone locking liner prosthesis
Our latest exciting pilot study, which focused on advancing prosthetic technology for individuals with transtibial limb loss and leprosy, was recently launched at Green Pastures Hospital in Pokhara, Nepal.
This groundbreaking initiative, led by the Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub) in collaboration with the International Nepal Fellowship (INF) and Operation Namaste of a silicone locking liner prostheses, incorporates a locally manufactured Operation Namaste silicone locking liner. This could be a game-changer in prosthetic care for patients with leprosy in low-resource settings.
Over the course of four days in Nepal, the project team conducted research activities, workshops, and discussions, bringing together experts and patients to assess the potential of this innovative prosthetic solution for patients with limb difference and leprosy.
Day 1: Establishing baselines
The study began with an in-depth assessment of three pilot patients and discussions with the hospital’s clinical care team. The goal was to collect initial data on patient satisfaction with their existing prosthetic solutions and establish baseline mobility levels. These findings would later serve as a benchmark for comparison once the new prosthesis was introduced.
Day 2: Mapping clinical protocols
Building on the data gathered on the first day, the team shifted its focus to understanding the existing clinical protocols at Green Pastures Hospital. A diverse group of medical professionals, including a plastic surgeon, a prosthetist, a physiotherapist, a physiatrist, and an occupational therapist, came together to map out the current treatment framework for patients with transtibial limb difference and leprosy.
Through these discussions, the team identified potential challenges in implementing the new prosthesis, such as the need for long-term patient follow-up and additional staff training.
Day 3: First patient fitting & knowledge sharing
With a clearer understanding of the hospital’s protocols, the team reached a critical milestone on the third day; the first leprosy patient was successfully fitted with the locking silicone liner prosthesis by Green Pastures Hospital’s Prosthetics & Orthotics (P&O) team.
Initial mobility tests and comfort assessments yielded promising results, reinforcing the potential of the new technology.
Later that afternoon, the team expanded the conversation by launching the “Locking Liner Prosthesis for Leprosy in Nepal” workshop. This session lead by Operation Namaste introduced P&O clinicians from Green Pastures Hospital, Shining Hospital in Karnali Province and in Madhesh Province to the new prosthesis, focusing on technical skills, the benefits of a silicone locking liner for patients with leprosy and user considerations. Pre and post workshop, the participants not only evaluated their confidence in delivering this technology but also discussed the feasibility of integrating it into their own clinical settings.
Day 4: Refining our approach
Building upon the feedback from the previous day’s workshop, an expanded group of healthcare professionals met to address challenges and refine a clinical protocol for patients with trans-tibial limb loss and leprosy, that incorporated the new prosthesis. By the end of the session, the team had established key metrics to assess the prosthesis’s real-world impact, focusing on functional mobility, patient comfort, and long-term usability.
Broadening this study’s Impact
The GDI Hub team also travelled to Kathmandu to further explore opportunities for scaling this innovation. They visited Kathmandu University’s Design Lab, where discussions centred on future collaborations in local design and prototyping.
Additionally, they met with professionals at the Hospital & Rehabilitation Center for Disabled Children (HRDC), the Centre for Disabled Children Assistance (CDCA), and the National Disabled Fund P&O clinic. These visits helped strengthen networks and expand the conversation on how to bring high-quality, affordable prosthetic solutions to a wider population in Nepal.
Why this testing matters
For people affected by limb difference and leprosy, prosthetic technology can mean the difference between mobility and restriction, independence and dependency. The potential success of the locking silicone liner prosthesis could significantly improve quality of life, not just in Nepal but in other low-resource settings worldwide.
As the pilot study moves forward, ongoing data collection and patient monitoring will provide further insights into the prosthesis’s adaptability and long-term benefits. By addressing the unique needs of patients with limb difference and leprosy, this research marks a crucial step toward making high-quality, affordable prosthetic solutions more accessible to those who need them most.