Influence of advanced prosthetic knee joints on perceived performance and everyday life activity level of low-functional persons with a transfemoral amputation or knee disarticulation

P Theeven, B Hemmen, R Geers, R Smeets, P Brink, H Seelen
2012 Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine  
Objective: To assess the effects of two types of microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knee joints (MPKs) on perceived performance and everyday life activity level. Design: Randomized cross-over trial. Subjects: Thirty persons with a unilateral above-knee amputation or knee disarticulation classified as Medicare Functional Classification Level-2. Methods: Participants were measured in 3 conditions, i.e. using a mechanically controlled prosthesis, an MPK featuring a microprocessor-controlled
more » ... e and swing phase (MPK A ), and an MPK featuring a microprocessor-controlled stance phase (MPK B ). Subjects' perceived performance regarding prosthesis use was measured with the Prosthesis Evaluation Questionnaire. Subjects' activity level was quantified using accelerometry. As high within-group variability regarding subjects' functional performance was expected to impede detection of possible effects of an MPK, data were analysed for the total group and for 3 subgroups of participants. Results: Participants' perception regarding ambulation, residual limb health, utility, and satisfaction with walking were significantly higher in the MPK A condition compared with the mechanical knee joint condition. Participants' activity level was similar in all knee joint conditions. Conclusion: Although Medicare Functional Classification Level-2 amputees report benefitting in terms of their performance from using an MPK, this is not reflected in their actual daily activity level after one week of using an MPK.
doi:10.2340/16501977-0969 pmid:22549656 fatcat:sks3s4feyvglvixbh5amoiioua