Original articlePhysical Function, Gait, and Dynamic Balance of Transfemoral Amputees Using Two Mechanical Passive Prosthetic Knee Devices
Section snippets
Participants
Men (N=5; age, 58.8±11.9y; stature, 175.2±4.9m; mass, 78.2±8.0kg; amputation duration, 31.8±17.3y; range, 5–49y) with unilateral transfemoral amputations of medium/long residual limb length10 and stable residual limb volumes participated in this investigation. Participants were recruited from hospital outpatient records and through an advertisement in a local amputee support group (Limbs4life) newsletter (Amplified). All participants met the following criteria for inclusion in the study: (1)
Functional Tests
No significant functional test differences were found (table 2). Although not significant, performance improved with the 3R92. Compared with the 3R90 and original device, performance with the 3R92 on the 6-Minute Walk Test increased by 17m and improved by 1.1 and 0.6s for the FSST and TUG, respectively.
Prosthesis Evaluation Questionnaire
The total group PEQ score for the 3R92 was higher than for the 3R90, but similar to the original device (see table 2). However, participant 2 scored 79.6 (original device), 92.8 (3R90), and 85.1
Discussion
This study investigated the effect of a new generation of mechanical passive prosthetic knee devices on the physical function, gait, and dynamic balance of a group of transfemoral amputees. Specifically, physical function was assessed by using the TUG, 6-Minute Walk Test, and FSST, whereas gait was assessed across flat ground and under conditions requiring a sudden turn or stop.
Method limitations of this study include the small sample size, different prosthetic devices used by participants on
Conclusions
Although not significant, differences were found between prosthetic knee joints. Physical function improved with the 3R92. The 3R90 gained the lowest rating on the PEQ. Overall, sudden-turn success rates were higher for the original device, with the crossover strategy the most difficult (least successful) to implement. Gait and symmetry measures were unchanged across prostheses. This finding is important because it shows that gait was unaffected, although gait training was provided with an
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Supported by the Austin Hospital Medical Research Foundation, Austin Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, Project No 02866.
No commercial party having a direct financial interest in the results of the research supporting this article has or will confer a benefit on the authors or on any organization with which the authors are associated.
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