Article

Approximately 50% of people with leg amputation fall annually.
Evidence suggests that microprocessor knees (MK) may decrease falls and improve
prosthetic function in people with traumatic amputations.
This study explored
whether adults with transfemoral amputations and peripheral artery disease would
have reduced falls and improved balance confidence, balance, and walking ability
when using prostheses with MK compared with non-MK. DESIGN: This was a
prospective cohort study. RESULTS: Eight subjects averaged 60.8 +/- 11.3 yrs or
age and 9.5 +/- 16.1 yrs since first amputation. Four were K1-K2-level and four
were K3-level functional walkers; only Houghton prosthetic use score was
different between K1-K2 and K3 walkers (P = 0.03). After 48.3 +/- 38.1 wks of
acclimation using MK, subjects demonstrated improvements in fear of falling,
balance confidence, Timed Up-and-Go time, and rate of falls (P < 0.05). The
improvements in fear of falling, balance confidence, and rate of falls had large
effect sizes (d > 0.80). Average decreased Timed Up-and-Go time (12.3 secs) had a
medium effect size (d = 0.34). Decreases in the number of falls correlated with
faster Timed Up-and-Go speed (rho = -0.76) and greater balance confidence (rho =
0.83). CONCLUSIONS: People with peripheral artery disease and transfemoral
amputations had fewer falls and improved balance confidence and walking
performance when using prostheses with MK.

Langue : ANGLAIS