Abstract: A lower extremity prosthetic device is provided which includes a modular foot with a heel section and an elongate midfoot section, the heel and midfoot sections being configured for detachable combination via a coupling joint. The heel section is formed from a material of a first predetermined stiffness characteristic and the midfoot section is formed from a material of a second predetermined stiffness characteristic, providing a foot of a differential stiffness characteristic akin to that of a natural foot.

Abstract: The invented artificial limb includes a shin, ankle and foot. The shin includes a first mount, a second mount positioned below the first mount, and a plurality of rods extending between the first and second mounts, where at least one rod is a load bearing rod. The foot includes an elongate member having a toe section and a heel section. In many applications, the elongate member is arched. The shin is coupled to the foot by an ankle. The ankle allows the shin to rotate around an axis substantially perpendicular to a line between the toe and heel sections of the foot. A rotation controlling element such as an elastic band or a compression spring is connected to both the ankle and to the elongate member to restrict rotation of the shin toward the heel section of the foot. The ankle may also allow the shin to move around a second axis to simulate lateral rotation of the ankle.