Does dynamic balance of transtibial amputees change after a three week adaptation period on a new prosthetic foot?
Advisor Information
Nicholas Stergiou
Location
Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library
Presentation Type
Poster
Start Date
4-3-2016 9:00 AM
End Date
4-3-2016 10:30 AM
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine whether changes in walking balance occurred during an adaptation period following the fitting of a new prosthetic component. As a factor of high importance to prosthesis users, dynamic balance is a fundamental consideration in limb prescription. Furthermore, poor balance may negatively the movement observed at a baseline evaluation during which suitability is assessed. Margin of stability (MOS) in the medial-lateral and anterior-posterior directions (MOSML, MOSAP) was used to quantify the dynamic balance of 21 unilateral trans-tibial amputees during overground walking. Each participant trialled two new prosthetic devices; a higher activity foot similar to that of their own prosthesis (HA), and a lower activity component (LA). Participants were assessed before (V1) and after (V2) a 3-week adaptation period on each foot. With HA, from V1 to V2 the MOSML on the prosthetic side decreased while sound limb MOSML increased. Although these changes were not significant, in V2 this resulted in the elimination of the significant inter-limb difference that was apparent at V1. No such change was seen with LA. MOS¬AP was consistently greater on the sound limb compared to the prosthetic limb, although the difference was only significant for LA. Significant increases in MOS¬AP on both the sound and prosthetic limbs were seen from V1 to V2 on HA but not on LA. Our results oppose the use of MOS at initial fitting to assess function on a given device, regardless of the appropriateness of its activity level for the individual.
Does dynamic balance of transtibial amputees change after a three week adaptation period on a new prosthetic foot?
Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library
The aim of this study was to determine whether changes in walking balance occurred during an adaptation period following the fitting of a new prosthetic component. As a factor of high importance to prosthesis users, dynamic balance is a fundamental consideration in limb prescription. Furthermore, poor balance may negatively the movement observed at a baseline evaluation during which suitability is assessed. Margin of stability (MOS) in the medial-lateral and anterior-posterior directions (MOSML, MOSAP) was used to quantify the dynamic balance of 21 unilateral trans-tibial amputees during overground walking. Each participant trialled two new prosthetic devices; a higher activity foot similar to that of their own prosthesis (HA), and a lower activity component (LA). Participants were assessed before (V1) and after (V2) a 3-week adaptation period on each foot. With HA, from V1 to V2 the MOSML on the prosthetic side decreased while sound limb MOSML increased. Although these changes were not significant, in V2 this resulted in the elimination of the significant inter-limb difference that was apparent at V1. No such change was seen with LA. MOS¬AP was consistently greater on the sound limb compared to the prosthetic limb, although the difference was only significant for LA. Significant increases in MOS¬AP on both the sound and prosthetic limbs were seen from V1 to V2 on HA but not on LA. Our results oppose the use of MOS at initial fitting to assess function on a given device, regardless of the appropriateness of its activity level for the individual.