User-Reported Comfort, Functionality, and Satisfaction Among Pediatric Lower Limb Amputees Using Conventional Prosthetic Devices: A Multi-Center Cross-Sectional Study

Background/Objectives: To determine user-reported comfort, function, and overall satisfaction among pediatric lower limb amputees with conventional prosthetic devices and to identify possible factors associated with overall satisfaction. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted at three tertiary orthotic and prosthetic centers in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Caregiver–child dyads completed a structured questionnaire evaluating perceived prosthetic comfort, functionality, and satisfaction. There were fifty-two unilateral pediatric lower limb amputees aged 4–17 years who had used conventional prosthetic appliances for at least one year. Questionnaire responses were summarized using descriptive statistics. Spearman’s rank correlation and non-parametric tests were used to examine associations among study variables. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify factors independently associated with overall satisfaction. Results: Mean comfort was 3.54 (SD = 0.87), functionality satisfaction was 3.42 (SD = 0.78), and overall satisfaction was 2.73 (SD = 0.79). Comfort had strong correlations with functionality (ρ = 0.63, p < 0.001) and overall satisfaction (ρ = 0.69, p < 0.001). The satisfaction difference between congenital and acquired amputations was statistically significant (p = 0.006), with those with congenital amputation reporting substantially greater satisfaction than those with acquired amputation. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that perceived prosthetic functionality (β = 0.383, p < 0.001) and comfort (β = −0.535, p < 0.001) were independently associated with overall satisfaction. Conclusions: Perceived comfort and prosthetic functionality were independently associated with overall satisfaction among pediatric users of conventional prosthetic devices. These findings support patient-centered prosthetic design and rehabilitation strategies that prioritize socket comfort and functional performance to improve children’s overall satisfaction with their prosthetic devices.