Article

The ability to walk with a prosthesis is the main objective of
rehabilitation following amputation, and distance and speed of walking achieved
are considered determining factors in amputees' perception of quality-of-life.
OBJECTIVES: To assess walking abilities and improvement in gait distance and
speed parameters in patients undergoing transfemoral amputation with a femoral
implant that allows distal support of the residuum.
STUDY DESIGN: Experimental
before-and-after study. METHODS: Ten transfemoral amputation patients received a
titanium implant that allowed distal weight bearing of the residuum within the
socket. The post-intervention follow-up period was 14 months. We evaluated the
functionality using a 2-min walk test and the physiological cost index. RESULTS:
The etiology of amputation was traumatic in six patients (60%). The mean 2-min
walk test score was 98.4 +/- 19.5 m prior to the femoral implant and 122.5 +/-
26.1 m at 14 months ( p < 0.008), representing an improvement of 24.5%. The mean
gait speed prior to the femoral implant was 0.82 +/- 0.16 and 1.02 +/- 0.21 m/s
at 14 months ( p < 0.008). The physiological cost index showed no differences ( p < 0.55). CONCLUSION: The results of this study show an improvement in the
distance walked and gait speed in amputees 14 months after having received a
femoral implant. Clinical relevance This article provides additional insight into
the use of a femoral implant that allows distal support of the residuum to
improve walking abilities and gait distance and speed parameters in patients
undergoing transfemoral amputation, mainly those of vascular origin.

Langue : ANGLAIS