Above-Knee Prosthetic Legs
Custom transfemoral prostheses, designed, built, and fit on-site, and shaped around how you want to live.
An amputation above the knee changes more than an amputation below it. The prosthesis has to replace your knee, your shin, your ankle, and your foot, and all of those parts have to work together with your body. That takes more design, more fitting, and a bit more practice. It is also exactly the work we specialize in.
Tillges designs, fabricates, and fits above-knee prosthetic legs in our own on-site lab, often in a matter of days, at clinics across the Twin Cities metro and western Wisconsin.
Call 651-772-2665 to schedule a free consultation.
What Is an Above-Knee Prosthetic Leg?
An above-knee prosthesis, also called a transfemoral prosthesis or AK prosthesis, is a custom device for people who have had an amputation above the knee joint. It is one type of prosthetic leg, and the most involved one, because it replaces the knee itself.
That is why fit and design decisions matter so much here. Two people with the same amputation level can end up with very different legs, and both can be right, because each device is matched to that person's strength, residual limb, and goals.
Most people begin the fitting process a few weeks after surgery, once the residual limb has healed and swelling is under control. From there, you and your prosthetist work through casting, fitting, gait training, and the adjustments that follow as your limb changes shape during the first year.
Above-Knee Prosthesis Parts
An above-knee prosthetic leg is a handful of parts working together, and every one of them is chosen for you. Here is what goes into the device.
- Socket: the custom-molded connection between your residual limb and the rest of the leg. It carries your full weight, so it decides whether the whole prosthesis works for you.
- Liner and prosthetic socks: a soft gel liner protects your skin inside the socket, and above-knee prosthetic socks come in different thicknesses, called plies, so you can fine-tune the fit as your limb volume changes through the day.
- Suspension: what keeps the leg securely on your body. Depending on your limb shape, skin, and activity, that may be suction, elevated vacuum, a locking liner, or a belt system.
- Knee unit: the biggest component decision on an above-knee leg. Mechanical knees use friction or hydraulics to control motion, while advanced microprocessor knees read your movement and adjust in real time. We fit leading components, including the Ottobock C-Leg. Learn more about microprocessor knee technology.
- Pylon: the lightweight tube, usually aluminum, titanium, or carbon fiber, that connects the knee to the foot and forms the lower leg.
- Foot: from steady, supportive designs to energy-storing carbon fiber and hydraulic ankles, matched to how you want to move.
Not sure how these choices get made? Our guide to choosing an above-knee prosthetic leg walks through mobility levels, knee types, and the trade-offs.
Above-Knee Prosthetic Socket Types and Design
No component decision matters until the socket is right. The socket carries your body weight through soft tissue, so its shape and trim lines decide your comfort, your control, and how many hours a day you can wear your leg. If your current socket hurts, that is not something you have to live with. It is something a prosthetist can fix.
Above-knee prosthetic socket types include:
- Ischial containment sockets, the most common modern design, which capture the sit bone for stability and control.
- MAS (Marlo Anatomical Socket) designs, with lower trim lines that free up hip motion and make sitting more comfortable.
- Sub-ischial sockets, which sit entirely below the sit bone and rely on elevated vacuum, giving the right candidate maximum freedom of movement.
- Flexible inner sockets in a rigid frame, which pair secure weight bearing with softer contact against your limb.
At Tillges, socket design starts with how we capture the shape of your limb. The Symphonie Aqua System is our hydrostatic pressure-casting technology: it casts your residual limb under actual weight-bearing conditions, so the socket is shaped by how your limb behaves when you stand on it, not how it looks at rest. For many patients that means fewer pressure points and a more accurate fit from the first socket.
Your socket will also be revisited over time. Limb volume changes most in the first year after amputation, and we adjust or replace sockets as your limb matures so the fit keeps up with your body.
What Does an Above-Knee Prosthetic Leg Cost?
The honest answer is that above-knee prosthesis cost varies widely from person to person, because the device itself varies widely. The main cost drivers are:
- Componentry: the knee unit is the largest single variable. Microprocessor knees cost substantially more than mechanical knees, and feet range from basic to advanced designs.
- Your documented mobility level: insurance coverage, including Medicare, is tied to your functional level, which your physician and prosthetist document together. That documentation shapes which components your plan will approve.
- Socket replacements: most people need adjustments or a replacement socket during the first year as their limb changes shape.
- Follow-up care: a prosthesis is a mechanical device that needs maintenance, alignment, and periodic component replacement over its life.
An above-knee prosthetic leg is not something you buy off a shelf or find for sale online. It is a custom medical device that has to be prescribed, fitted, and adjusted by a certified prosthetist, and in most cases the majority of the cost runs through your health insurance. Our team works with your insurance from the start. We verify your benefits, coordinate the documentation your plan requires, and talk through your options before anything is fabricated, so there are no surprises.
The best way to get a real answer for your situation is a free consultation. Call 651-772-2665 and we will walk through your coverage together.
Bilateral Above-Knee Prosthetics
Losing both legs above the knee brings a different set of challenges, and rehabilitation follows a different path. Many people begin on shortened training prostheses to build balance and confidence, then progress in stages to full-length legs with prosthetic knees and feet. It takes time, strength, and a care team that plans each stage with you.
We work closely with bilateral above-knee patients, their physicians, and their therapy teams to design prostheses for each phase of that progression, from first training legs to definitive devices.
From Consultation to Walking: How It Works
- Free consultation: we start with a conversation. Your practitioner evaluates your residual limb, your strength, and your goals, and explains the options that fit your situation.
- Casting and on-site fabrication: we cast your limb, using the Symphonie Aqua System where appropriate, and our technicians build your prosthesis in our own lab. Practitioners and technicians work side by side, which is how we go from cast to finished leg in days rather than weeks.
- Fitting and gait training: you are fitted in our clinic, and we begin gait training and alignment adjustments right away. We refine the fit until the leg works with your body, not against it.
- Adjustments for life: your limb will change, your activity will change, and your prosthesis should keep up. We handle adjustments, socket replacements, and component updates for as long as you need us.
Why Team Tillges for Your Above-Knee Prosthesis
We are a family-owned Minnesota practice, and above-knee prosthetics are one of our core specialties. Our practitioners are certified by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics (ABC) or work under the direction of a certified practitioner, and our on-site fabrication lab means your leg is designed, built, and adjusted under one roof.
With clinics across the Twin Cities metro and western Wisconsin, expert care is close to home. And our patients' stories tell you more about the experience than we can.
Above-Knee Prosthetic Leg FAQs
How soon after surgery can I be fitted for an above-knee prosthesis?
Most people begin a few weeks after amputation, once the incision has healed and swelling is controlled, often with the help of a shrinker sock. Your surgeon and prosthetist decide the timing together based on how your limb is healing.
Is an above-knee prosthesis harder to learn than a below-knee one?
It usually takes more practice, because the prosthesis replaces your knee joint and walking takes more energy. With gait training and the right components, most people get there. We train you on your leg right in our clinic.
How long does an above-knee prosthetic leg last?
Most prostheses last two to five years depending on your activity, though individual parts can be repaired or replaced along the way. Sockets are often replaced sooner, especially in the first year while your limb is still changing shape.
Do I need a microprocessor knee?
Not everyone does. Microprocessor knees add stability and stumble recovery, but mechanical knees are simpler, need less upkeep, and never need charging. The right choice depends on your mobility level, your daily routine, and what your insurance will cover. We walk through it with you at your consultation.
Can I stay active with an above-knee prosthesis?
Yes. With the right components and training, people with above-knee amputations walk, work, travel, and play sports. Tell your practitioner what you want to get back to, and we will design for it. See our sports and running prosthetics page for more.
Our practitioners work closely with you and your care team to design an above-knee prosthesis for your needs and your goals, and we build it on-site in our fabrication lab alongside our own technicians.
Call us today at 651-772-2665 to schedule your complimentary consultation.