1. Gait speed as an indicator of prosthetic walking potential following lower limb amputation.
- Author
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Batten HR, McPhail SM, Mandrusiak AM, Varghese PN, and Kuys SS
- Subjects
- Amputation, Surgical methods, Australia, Cohort Studies, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Male, Patient Discharge, Prospective Studies, Prosthesis Fitting methods, Rehabilitation Centers, Time Factors, Treatment Outcome, Amputees rehabilitation, Artificial Limbs, Gait physiology, Lower Extremity surgery, Postural Balance physiology, Walking Speed physiology
- Abstract
Background:: The relationship between gait speed and prosthetic potential (K-level classifications) and function has not been explored among people transitioning from hospital rehabilitation to the community., Objectives:: To examine gait speed at discharge from inpatient rehabilitation among people prescribed a prosthetic leg after unilateral lower limb amputation, and associations between gait speed, prosthetic potential and functional ability., Study Design:: Cohort., Methods:: Gait speed (10-m walk test), K-level (Amputee Mobility Predictor) and Functional Independence Measure motor were compared for 110 people (mean (standard deviation) age: 63 (13) years, 77% male, 71% transtibial amputation, 70% dysvascular causes)., Results:: Median (interquartile range) gait speed and Functional Independence Measure motor were 0.52 (0.37-0.67) m/s and 84 (81, 85), respectively. Median (IQR) gait speed scores for each K-level were as follows: K1 = 0.17 (0.15-0.19) m/s, K2 = 0.38 (0.25-0.54) m/s, K3 = 0.63 (0.50-0.71) m/s and K4 = 1.06 (0.95-1.18) m/s. Median (IQR) FIM-Motor scores for each K-level were as follows: K1 = 82 (69-84), K2 = 83 (79-84), K3 = 85 (83-87) and K4 = 87 (86-89). Faster gait speed was associated with higher K-level, higher FIM-Motor, being younger, male and having transtibial amputation with nonvascular aetiology., Conclusion:: Gait speed was faster among each higher K-level classification. However, gait speeds observed across all K-levels were slower than healthy populations, consistent with values indicating high risk of morbidity and mortality., Clinical Relevance: Factors associated with faster gait speed are useful for clinical teams considering walking potential of people with lower limb prostheses and those seeking to refine prosthetic rehabilitation programmes.
- Published
- 2019
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