Article

People with vascular leg amputations are typically older adults and are at a greater risk to fall, especially those with
transfemoral amputation. Although balance confidence has been more predictive of prosthetic mobility than a simple
history of falls, clinical measures of balance ability may provide a more objective assessment of fall risk. This case study
documents balance ability, balance confidence, fall history, and activity participation in a person with transfemoral
amputation due to vascular disease using 1) a non-microprocessor knee (MPK) prosthesis, 2) an MPK prosthesis after
initial training, and 3) the MPK prosthesis after 1 year. The subject demonstrated higher balance ability measured with
the Berg balance scale and timed-up-and-go test and higher Activity-specific Balance Confidence scale scores using the
MPK prosthesis. The subject also did not fall and returned to participation in leisure activities using the MPK prosthesis.
Although balance, balance confidence, and activity without falls improved in this case, future research is needed to identify
and reduce causes of falls and to determine effect of different prostheses on balance in people with vascular transfemoral
amputations, before making clinical conclusions.

Langue : ANGLAIS