Support may be given by a strap from a waist belt as shown in figure 117, but proper braces are better. These braces pass over the shoulder of the sound side and are attached either to the thigh corset or to the leg piece of the artificial limb. Attachment to the thigh corset is made by a single strap either in front and behind (Fig. 114) or on either side of the front lacing, the ends of the strap crossing in front of the groin (Fig. 115). It is a simple matter to add to the brace an extending strap, such as we have described for the artificial limb for amputation through the thigh (page 44). It is only necessary to terminate the brace in a strap from which two branches pass down in an inverted V and are fixed to the sides of the front of the leg piece (Figs. 116 and 117). This is unnecessary if the stump is long, for its leverage will then be good. It is, however, very useful for short stumps which give little power to the action of the quadriceps. In the case of patients with a long stump an attempt has been made to abolish the thigh piece and suspend the limb exclusively by braces. This method, we believe, is inadequate even if it is completed by a transverse band above the knee (Figs. 118 and 119). [Illustration: FIG. 116.] [Illustration: FIG. 117.] [Illustration: FIG. 118.] [Illustration: FIG. 119.] C. THE FOOT.--The foot, usually articulated, is fixed in exactly the same way as in a limb for an amputation through the thigh, _i.e._ it is mounted in the equinus position. But in this case, however, precautions must be taken against stretching of the posterior ligaments of the knee joint, because the equinus mechanically produces hyperextension of the knee, and a genu recurvatum may result. For this reason a strap must be fixed posteriorly between the thigh corset and the leg piece to prevent full extension of the knee (popliteal check cord). This means that we make the patient stand and walk with slight flexion of the knee and with a corresponding elevation of the heel of the shoe (2-3 centimetres). II. APPLIANCES WITH END BEARING ONLY These appliances are suitable for certain amputations very low down in the leg which we must first define. The orthopædist should consider the following operations as very low amputations of the leg, allowing of walking with end bearing only, and suitable for the same type of appliance:-- Supra-malleolar amputation.[11] Disarticulation at the ankle joint. Sub-astragaloid amputation. Osteoplastic amputations through the os calcis (or amputation in which the os calcis is retained entire after removal of the astragalus).