A wide variety of artificial feet are available to suit the varying needs of amputees. The type of foot an amputee requires will depend on his/her size, weight and activity level. Discuss with your prosthetist what activities you plan to take part in so that the appropriate foot can be chosen.

• Low to Medium Activity Levels 
• Intermediate Activity Levels 
• Advanced/High Energy Activity Levels 
• Feet for Children

SACH (Solid Ankle Cushion Heel) Foot - this foot is a non-articulated rubber foot which is inexpensive and durable. Because of the increased energy use when wearing this foot it may be best suited for short-term use such as with a preparatory or temporary fitting. It is also suitable for amputees who are advanced in years who do not put a great deal of weight on the forefoot.

Single-Axis Foot - this foot is articulated (with jointed parts) and is best suited when more knee stability is required on the amputated side. The full sole of the foot comes into contact with the ground more quickly, thereby, making it more stable. It may, therefore, be recommended for amputees with a higher level of amputation to provide more stability.

Multi-Axis Foot - similar in weight, cost and reliability to the single-axis foot, the multi-axis foot conforms better to uneven surfaces. The added ankle motion helps to absorb some of the stresses of walking and better protects the skin and artificial limb from wear and tear. Amputees requiring a sideways leg motion (activities such as dancing and golfing) will like this foot.

Elastic Keel Feet - because of their light weight, these feet are particularly well suited for general walking. The elastic keel mimics the action of the human foot during push-off (the way you hoist yourself up and forward when you push off with your forefoot). This foot may also be useful during gait training because of the smooth roll over given by the elastic keel. A slight delay in push-off makes them less suitable for high energy activities.

Dynamic Response Feet - this group of feet, often referred to as "energy storing" feet, have a spring mechanism in the keel which bends during "heel-off" and returns to its resting position during "toe-off." These feet help an amputee achieve a more even gait and normal range of motion and give the feeling that the foot is helping them to push forward.

Hybrid Designs - a recent approach to foot design is to incorporate separate components, such as an ankle unit, into the overall design of the foot - known as a hybrid design. The idea is to somewhat "customize" the foot with already available components to best suit the needs of the individual amputee.

Feet for Children

There are some great feet options available for infant and young amputees. The foot that is incorporated into the artificial limb plays an integral role as an infant learns to crawl and progresses to pulling themselves up and walking. As children grow they often become very active – just watch any daycare or schoolyard at recess! They also become involved in many activities – softball is a good example of an activity where young children need to run at different speeds – again, feet will play a key role in helping them to become active. Here are the options available, from infant feet to those for young children.

• P-Pod Pediatric Feet by Ohio Willow Wood – are designed for the early phases of learning to walk. The P-Pod SACH Foot provides stability for infants taking their first steps and the P-Pod Impulse Foot provides energy return and dynamic response to give more function when infants enter the second and more complex phase of walking. (Sizes: 9 cm to 22 cm for the SACH Foot and 13 to 22 cm for the Impulse Foot).
• Little Feet by TRS Inc. – are designed to meet the needs of infants and very young children. Little Feet are a SACH type design with unique energy dynamics and flexible toes. They are soft to the touch but very stable. A removable heel plug provides improved “barefoot” cosmesis. (Sizes: 10 cm to 12 cm).
• Kingsley SACH (Solid Ankle Cushion Heel) – is durable because it possesses no articulations (or movable joints) that erode. An infant’s first foot is usually a SACH foot. Heel cushions can be soft, medium and firm. (Sizes: 10 cm to 17 cm for the Juvenile SACH).
• Seattle LightFoot (for children) – has a dynamic response nylon Delrin keel which offers shock absorption and energy return. It has a natural appearance and is suitable for all lower limb amputees, including Symes. (Sizes: 13 cm to 21 cm and is available in six different keels, each designed to support a specific weight and activity level combination).
• Pediatric Springlite II – also has dynamic response with energy storing capabilities. It is also adjustable to accommodate 2.5 cm (1”) of growth and is custom manufactured for the child’s foot size, weight, activity level and functional needs. (Sizes: 13 cm to 21 cm).

• 1K10 Foot for Children by Otto Bock – is an elastic keel foot which has a natural appearance and dynamic motion. This simple foot is lightweight and durable. (Sizes: 14 cm to 21 cm).

• TruPer by College Park – is a multi-axial, dynamic response prosthetic foot. The added ankle action through the multi-axial aspects of the TruPer provides good stability where uneven surfaces come into play in activities such as softball because longer contact is made with the ground while walking or running. The foot shell has a natural cosmetic appearance with a sandal toe. (Sizes: 16 cm to 19 cm).
• Flex-Foot Junior by Össur – is a dynamic response foot made from lightweight and durable carbon fibre. The spring mechanism in the keel of the foot provides the energy- storing capabilities assisting the amputee to push forward, giving a more normal range of motion and a more even gait. These feet are suitable for amputees with longer residual limbs. (Sizes: 16 cm to 21 cm).

Most of these feet (or covers) come in different shades to accommodate a variety of complexions.