Jaipur above-knee prosthetic/artificial leg with Stanford knee

Jaipur above-knee prosthetic/artificial leg with a Stanford knee for an adult, made by Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS), India, 2012-2015

Since the first Jaipur foot prosthetic was developed in 1968, these prosthetics have been a symbol of India’s low-cost medical innovation. Not only do they cost less than Western equivalents, but they are also more suited to everyday life in India. As these prosthetics are made of rubber and are more flexible, they can be used without a shoe, for riding a bike or for sitting cross-legged. While they are available worldwide, in India these prosthetics are supplied free of charge by Bhagwan Mahavir Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS), one of the largest charities for disabled people in the world. Since it was founded in 1975, more than 700,000 Jaipur prosthetics have been distributed in India.

As this prosthetic is for an above-knee amputation, an artificial knee joint is required for a more natural gait. Continuing the original Jaipur foot’s spirit of low-cost innovation, the Standford-Jaipur knee can be manufactured in India for as little as $20. It was developed in 2009 by a team of students at Stanford University working in collaboration with BMVSS to provide stability while standing and easy movement.