The present invention relates generally to prosthetic legs and, in particular to joints for prosthetic legs. In particular the present invention relates to a prosthetic leg for those having a femoral amputee, namely those having an above the knee stump. Where prosthetic limbs are produced for patients who have suffered above the knee amputations and patents who suffer from having to use a lower limb prosthesis equipped with a knee joint, certain movements can be difficult to perform. For example, when a patient has been fitted with a prosthesis equipped with a knee joint, a feature that can induce a lack of balance arises from the fact that the prosthesis comprises a mechanical apparatus performing the duty of the joint that is substantially distal to the knee centre. Indeed, patients having a substantial reduction in femoral length will suffer greatly since the prosthetic attachment, typically having a hollow region in which to insert the remaining length of thigh - the stump - will bear upon an inside surface of the attachment and the lever action will be reduced, in correspondence with the associated reduction in femoral length. Known prosthetic knee joints that are weight activated cannot substantially assist the short stumped individual. The weight placed on the toe will typically cause disengagement of any stance mode there otherwise might be. The present invention seeks to provide a solution to the problems addressed above. The present invention seeks to provide an improved mechanically operated prosthesis for a femoral amputee. The present invention also seeks to provide an improved electrically operated prosthesis for a femoral amputee.
