Davie-Smith F, Powell L, Porteous N, Carse B. Changes in activities-specific balance confidence of active unilateral transtibial prosthesis users after provision of a self-aligning ankle foot.
Prosthet Orthot Int 2024:00006479-990000000-00210. [PMID:
38170795 DOI:
10.1097/pxr.0000000000000319]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Self-aligning ankle feet have an increased range of motion and are marketed to improve compliance over uneven terrain and increase function and balance; however, much of the existing literature focuses on the biomechanical aspect of these prostheses as opposed to patient-reported measures.
OBJECTIVE
To compare activities-specific balance confidence (ABC), health-related quality of life (HR-QoL), perceived mobility, gait speed, and step length before and after provision of a self-aligning ankle foot in the active unilateral transtibial prosthesis user.
STUDY DESIGN
Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data.
METHODS
Patient-reported and functional measures were captured for 85 users who were provided with a self-aligning ankle foot. Measures were recorded immediately before self-aligning ankle foot provision and again at 6 months afterward. The primary outcome was the ABC Score, along with the following secondary measures; HR-QoL using EQ-5D-5L Health Index Prosthetic Limb User Survey of Mobility and 10-meter timed walk test.
RESULTS
The median age of the cohort was 55.2 years old and 71% were males, with the majority having their transtibial amputation due to trauma. There was a statistically significant improvement in ABC from 76 to 86% (p < 0.001) with a medium effect size. There was no statistically significant improvement in HR-QoL (p = 0.051), Prosthetic Limb User Survey of Mobility (p = 0.043), time taken to walk 10 m (p = 0.15) and step length (p = 0.003).
CONCLUSIONS
Self aligning ankle feet increased ABC and step length with no detrimental effect on HR-QoL, perceived mobility or walking speed in those with a unilateral trans-tibial amputation.
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