Article

In a survey of 100 transtibial amputees (TTA) in the study place, it
was noticed that nearly 30% of total activities performed by crutches. It was
recorded nearly 52% of the amputees were totally independent, 39% had to use a
crutch or cane and only 9% need not used any devices simply because they are
unaware of current technology or availability. Out of 39 TTA,
nine used crutches
only for performing daily activities while 30 used both prosthesis and crutch.
Walking is a major activity in lower limb amputees and therefore it is imperative
to know the energy cost in both the mobility devices (prosthesis and crutches
without prosthesis) for walking activities. OBJECTIVES:
The purpose of this study
was to quantify and compare the difference in energy cost between the two most
commonly used assistive devices (prosthesis and axillary crutches) in adults with
Transtibial amputation by indirect calorimetric method at the self-selected speed
in plane surface walking. METHODS: Thirty adults who had a unilateral transtibial
amputation participated in this study. Oxygen consumption was measured with a
Cosmed K4 b(2) oxygen analysis telemetry unit (Rome, Italy) as the participants
walked over level ground for 30 meters at a self-selected speed. The variables
that were analyzed were VO(2) rate (mL/min), VO(2) cost (mL/kg/m), heart rate
(bpm), self-selected walking velocity (m/min) and energy expenditure per minute
(Kcal/min). RESULTS: It was observed that VO(2) uptake rate and EE comparisons
were highly significant for both prosthesis and crutches without prosthesis
walking in adults with transtibial amputation (P<0.025). There was significant
difference between prosthesis walking and crutches without prosthesis walking in
terms of VO(2) uptake rate (P<0.005) and EE/min (P<0.00001). It was noticed the
adults with transtibial amputation using prosthesis walked with 21% more
efficient in terms of VO(2) uptake rate and 92% more efficient in terms of EE/min
as compared to crutches without prosthesis. CONCLUSIONS: The data on energy cost
indicates that all below knee amputee groups walk with less effort by using
prosthesis. It may be concluded that crutches without prosthesis may not be used
as a permanent rehabilitative measure in transtibial amputations.
CI - Copyright (c) 2012 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS ; FRANCAIS