In post conflict regions, there is often a need to fit a large number of amputees in a relatively short period of time with prosthetic limbs. However, the lack of experienced prosthetists and the necessary materials and tools to design and fabricate custom sockets creates an unsatisfactory environment where many are without die prosthetic limbs they need. It is proposed that the use of a lim ited number of prefabricated sockets, within the framework of a three-tiered fitting regime, be considered to allow the local prosthetists to increase the number of patients assisted while maintaining appropriate levels of prosthetic care. This is based on the concept that a primary fit is achieved with a prefabricated socket, a secondary fit is achieved with slight modifications to the prefabricated socket, and a tertiary fit requires a custom socket to be fabricated. The objective of this study is to examine homogeneous amputee populations in Thailand and Vietnam and develop a statistical method by which appropriate socket shapes and sizes are specified to meet the needs of these groups.

Anthropometric measurements were collected from transtibial residual limbs of 15 patients in Thailand and 25 patients in Vietnam. Despite the small sample sizes, it was possible to approximate the measurements with a normal distribution. A principal components analysis indicated that two components could describe the limbs:​ the first describing a general shape and the second describing slight modifications to that shape. Partitioning the principal component distributions to create three shapes and two sizes per shape with up to three liners to be worn, it was possible to achieve a 36% primary fit and 64% secondary fit in the Thai sample population, and a 36% primary fit% , 56% secondary fit, and 8% tertiary fit in the Vietnam sample. Subsequently, rectification models were applied based on current prosthetic practices and recommendations were made for specific socket dimensions for manufacturing. The study also demonstrated that principal components analysis is a practical approach to sizing a transtibial amputee population and showed that the methodology developed is transferable to other homogeneous amputee populations.