Developing prosthetic weight bearing in a knee disarticulation amputee

An essential component of prosthetic training in amputees is to achieve full weight bearing through the prosthesis. The end-bearing nature of the intact femur in an individual with a knee disarticulation amputation (KDA) offered a rare opportunity to examine this component. The purpose of this case study was to describe the weight-bearing development in a temporary prosthesis. Longitudinal measurement of gait and balance parameters offer objective data to assess this component of amputee rehabilitation. It was concluded that (1) the temporary prosthesis for a KDA was a successful treatment option in the rehabilitation of a KDA; (2) full weight bearing was achieved in four weeks; and (3) the longitudinal objective measures identified unexpected results.