Durability of lower limb prostheses with low-cost exoskeletal technology, in patients with lower limb amputation due to any cause

Introduction: The use of lower-limb prostheses restores functional mobility and improves quality of life for people with lower limb amputation. However, the use of prostheses is significantly impacted by users’ satisfaction with their prostheses and service delivery. Therefore, the excellence of prosthetic rehabilitation is not only assessed by the number of prostheses users but is also determined by the level of satisfaction with the prostheses and services received. The study was conducted to determine prostheses use and satisfaction among people with lower-limb amputation. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among lower-limb prosthetic users in 10 districts of Bhutan. Data was collected by face-to-face interview using the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology (QUEST) questionnaire. Participants were recruited by purposive sampling. Results: The study found that 96.4% of persons with lower-limb amputation currently used prostheses and 79% of them have used it for more than 7 hours/day. However, 44% of prostheses needed repair. The total QUEST score of satisfaction was 4.0 (SD 0.5). Conclusion: Majority of lower-limb prostheses are in use and the users reported being quite satisfied with their prostheses and service delivery. The study recommends initiating follow-up services to improve prosthetic use and overall satisfaction scores for both prostheses and service delivery.

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A low-cost easily implementable physiotherapy intervention clinically improves gait implying better adaptation to lower limb prosthesis: a randomized clinical trial

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-00686-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Leticia Vargas Almeida ◽

Claudiane Arakaki Fukuchi ◽

Tania Emi Sakanaka ◽

Alberto Cliquet

Keyword(s):

Lower Limb ◽

Low Cost ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Lower Limb Amputation ◽

Limb Amputation ◽

Control Group ◽

Post Intervention ◽

Physiotherapy Intervention ◽

Lower Limb Prosthesis ◽

Limb Prosthesis

AbstractLower limb amputation highly impacts the lives of individuals. The inability to walk due to difficulties in adapting to wearing prosthesis can potentially result in physical degeneration and comorbidity in this population. In this randomized clinical trial study, we investigated if a low-cost and easily implementable physiotherapy intervention was effective in improving gait performance and adaptation to lower limb prosthesis in individuals with an amputation. A total of 26 individuals participated in the study, 16 with lower limb amputation and 10 without amputation. Participants with amputation were further divided in intervention and control groups. The intervention group underwent a rehabilitation protocol aimed at strengthening muscles and improving prosthesis adaptation. Muscle strengthening targeted the hip segment, prioritizing the abdominal muscles, hip flexors, extensors, adductors and abductors, followed by cicatricial mobilization and weight-bearing on the stump for desensitization. Assessment and measures were performed across the kinetic and kinematic parameters of gait. In the comparison between pre-and post-intervention, a significant increase in gait speed (0.68—2.98, 95% CI, 1.83, effect size ES) and cadence (0.56—2.69, 95% CI, 1.63, ES) was found between groups and time points. Step (0.73—3.11, 95% CI, 1.92, ES) and stride length (0.62—2.84, 95% CI, 1.73) increased between pre- and post-intervention, while in the control group both variables remained smaller. The intervention group decreased stance phase as a percentage of gait cycle between pre- and post-intervention (− 1.33—0.62, 95% CI, − 36, ES), while it increased in the control group. Improvement in a combination of important gait parameters indicates that the intervention protocol promoted the adaptation to prosthesis and the functional independence of individuals with lower limb amputation. It is recommended that the participants continue receiving follow-up assessments and rehabilitation interventions.

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Metric Charcteristics of Sit-to-stand Tests in Patients After Lower-limb Amputation

Case Medical Research ◽

10.31525/ct1-nct04293237 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Keyword(s):

Lower Limb ◽

Lower Limb Amputation ◽

Limb Amputation ◽

Sit To Stand

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Prostheses and orthoses. Factors to be considered when specifying a prosthesis for a person who has had a lower limb amputation

10.3403/30178636 ◽

2009 ◽

Keyword(s):

Lower Limb ◽

Lower Limb Amputation ◽

Limb Amputation

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Prostheses and orthoses. Factors to be included when describing physical activity of a person who has had a lower limb amputation(s) or who has a deficiency of a lower limb segment(s) present at birth

10.3403/30178633u ◽

2015 ◽

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Lower Limb ◽

Lower Limb Amputation ◽

Limb Amputation ◽

Limb Segment

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Prostheses and orthoses. Factors to be included when describing physical activity of a person who has had a lower limb amputation(s) or who has a deficiency of a lower limb segment(s) present at birth

10.3403/30178633 ◽

2009 ◽

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Lower Limb ◽

Lower Limb Amputation ◽

Limb Amputation ◽

Limb Segment

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P90 PERCEIVE: PrEdiction of Risk and Communication of outcome following major lower limb amputation - a collaboratIVE study

BJS Open ◽

10.1093/bjsopen/zrab032.089 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

B Gwilym ◽

C Waldron ◽

E Thomas-Jones ◽

P Pallmann ◽

R Preece ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Prediction ◽

Lower Limb ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Collaborative Study ◽

Lower Limb Amputation ◽

Research Network ◽

Limb Amputation ◽

Prediction Tools

Abstract Introduction Major Lower Limb Amputation (MLLA) is a life changing event with significant morbidity and mortality. Inaccurate risk prediction can lead to poor decision making, resulting in delay to definitive surgery, or undertaking amputation when not in the patient’s best interest. We aim to answer: In adult patients undergoing MLLA for chronic limb threatening ischaemia or diabetes, how accurately do health care professionals prospectively predict outcomes after MLLA, and how does this compare to existing prediction tools? Methods A multicentre prospective observational cohort study is being delivered through the Vascular and Endovascular Research Network. Dissemination was via an existing network of contacts and social media. Consecutive data will be collected for seven months from site launch date, including demographic data and pre-operative outcome predictions from surgeons, anaesthetists, and allied healthcare professionals. Follow-up data will comprise 30-day (mortality, morbidity, MLLA revision, surgical site infection, and blood transfusion) and 1-year (mortality, MLLA revision and ambulation). The accuracy of surgeons’ predictions will be evaluated and compared to pre-existing risk prediction scoring tools. Results PERCEIVE launched on 01/10/2020 with 23 centres (16 UK, 7 international) registered to collect data. 50 other centres (27 UK, 23 international) have expressed interest/are pursuing local audit/ethical approval. We aim to collect data on clinicians estimate of outcomes for over 500 patients. Discussion This study will utilise a trainee research network to provide data on the accuracy of healthcare professionals’ predictions of outcomes following MLLA and compare this to the utility of existing prediction tools in this patient cohort.

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