Article

Turning is an inherent problem in all lower limb amputees and
more so in older dysvascular amputees. This study aimed to compare the turning
performance of dysvascular amputees with that of the traumatic amputees.
Technique: Six dysvascular transtibial amputees (69.83 +/- 6.3 years) and six
traumatic transtibial amputees (68.3 +/- 6.6 years) completed the Step Quick Turn
test of the NeuroCom((R)) Balance Master and the Timed Up and Go Test. The
measures used for comparison were as follows: turn time and turn sway of Step
Quick Turn test, turning 180 degrees to both the prosthetic and sound side and
time taken to complete the Timed Up and Go Test. Discussion: The Mann-Whitney U
test demonstrated a significant difference (p < 0.05) between the dysvascular and
traumatic groups in turn sway to the prosthetic (70.7 +/- 14.2 and 43.3 +/- 9.7)
and sound sides (72.5 +/- 16.1 and 43.5 +/- 8.2). Similar results were observed
in turn time to the prosthetic (4.1 +/- 1.4 and 1.7 +/- 0.46) and sound sides
(4.0 +/- 1.3 and 2.1 +/- 0.5). No significant difference was observed for the
Timed Up and Go Test. Clinical relevance The observed differences suggest that
dysvascular amputees are less able to adapt to the challenges associated with
turning. More attention is required in the rehabilitation of dysvascular amputees
in turning tasks particularly towards the prosthetic side.

Langue : ANGLAIS