Abstract
Lower-limb prosthetics are typically developed within clinical frameworks that prioritise function, mobility, and rehabilitation. Yet for many amputees, the prosthesis is not merely a technical aid; it is a symbolic artefact that intersects with identity, visibility, and emotional recovery. This paper maps the dual prosthetic journey, comprising a clinical path of surgery, fitting, and gait training, alongside a symbolic path of shock, adaptation, and self-expression, to show how movement and meaning evolve in parallel. Drawing from two multi-stakeholder focus groups involving clinicians, prosthetists, amputees, advocates, and designers, the study identifies four leverage points where design can bridge functional and emotional care: early visual conversations, peer learning, co-design of custom is at ions, and equitable funding. Together, these strategies demonstrate how aesthetic custom is ation can enhance wellbeing and identity without compromising regulatory or functional standards. By reframing design as a form of care and collaboration that attends to both bio mechanics and meaning, the study advances a more integrated approach to prosthetic rehabilitation.
Keywords
Prosthetics; Customisation; Symbolic function; Design
DOI
https://doi.org/10.21606/iasdr.2025.251
Citation
Ibanez-Arricivita, I., Blackler, A.L., Woodruff, M.A., Swann, L.,and Winter, A.(2025) The role of Design in the Prosthetic Journey: Insights from a Multi-Stakeholder Focus Group, in Chang, C.-Y., and Hsu, Y. (eds.), IASDR 2025: Design Next, 02-05 December, Taiwan. https://doi.org/10.21606/iasdr.2025.251
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Conference Track
Track 9 - Healthcare Design
The role of Design in the Prosthetic Journey: Insights from a Multi-Stakeholder Focus Group
Lower-limb prosthetics are typically developed within clinical frameworks that prioritise function, mobility, and rehabilitation. Yet for many amputees, the prosthesis is not merely a technical aid; it is a symbolic artefact that intersects with identity, visibility, and emotional recovery. This paper maps the dual prosthetic journey, comprising a clinical path of surgery, fitting, and gait training, alongside a symbolic path of shock, adaptation, and self-expression, to show how movement and meaning evolve in parallel. Drawing from two multi-stakeholder focus groups involving clinicians, prosthetists, amputees, advocates, and designers, the study identifies four leverage points where design can bridge functional and emotional care: early visual conversations, peer learning, co-design of custom is at ions, and equitable funding. Together, these strategies demonstrate how aesthetic custom is ation can enhance wellbeing and identity without compromising regulatory or functional standards. By reframing design as a form of care and collaboration that attends to both bio mechanics and meaning, the study advances a more integrated approach to prosthetic rehabilitation.