If there is lateral distal pressure, what corrective action should be taken?

When lateral distal pressure is present, it indicates that the prosthetic socket is exerting excessive pressure on the lateral side, typically resulting in discomfort or skin irritation for the user. To address this issue, the best corrective action is to outset the foot.

By positioning the foot further outward relative to the socket, the alignment is adjusted in such a way that it reduces the lateral pressure on the distal aspect. This adjustment allows for better load distribution and can help alleviate discomfort caused by the improper fit of the socket. It effectively realigns the weight-bearing axis of the prosthetic limb, thus minimizing lateral forces that could lead to pressure issues.

The other options would not effectively address the problem of lateral distal pressure. Moving the foot further inset could exacerbate the issue by increasing the pressure on the lateral side. Making the socket narrower might not directly alleviate pressure, as it may not address the alignment issue contributing to the pressure. Reducing the socket height could affect the overall stability and comfort of the prosthesis but does not specifically target the lateral pressure problem. Therefore, outsetting the foot is the most appropriate corrective action in this scenario.