Related Experiment Videos
Function after through-knee compared with below-knee and above-knee amputation
E Hagberg1, O K Berlin, P Renström
1Department of Orthopaedics, Sahlgren Hospital, University of Göthenburg, Sweden.
Prosthetics and Orthotics International
|December 1, 1992
Summary
Prosthetic use and function significantly decrease with higher amputation levels. Through-knee amputation is a viable alternative to above-knee amputation when below-knee amputation isn't possible.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Prosthetics Engineering
Background:
- Prosthetic limb replacement is common for amputees.
- Assessing prosthetic function across different amputation levels is crucial for rehabilitation outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitatively and qualitatively evaluate prosthetic function in amputees with below-knee (BK), through-knee (TK), and above-knee (AK) amputations.
- To determine the impact of amputation level on prosthetic usability and daily use.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire-based assessment was used for 59 amputees (24 BK, 17 TK, 18 AK).
- Evaluated parameters included ease of donning the prosthesis and daily usage frequency.
- Assessed functional usefulness and instances of non-usage.
Main Results:
- Prosthetic donning was successful in 100% of BK, 70% of TK, and 56% of AK amputees.
- Daily prosthesis use was reported by 96% of BK, 76% of TK, and 50% of AK amputees.
- Higher amputation levels correlated with significantly lower rehabilitation degrees and prosthesis usefulness, with 39% of AK amputees finding their prosthesis unusable.
Conclusions:
- Prosthetic function and rehabilitation success significantly decrease with increasing amputation level (BK > TK > AK).
- Through-knee (TK) amputation should be strongly considered as a preferred alternative to above-knee (AK) amputation when below-knee (BK) amputation is not feasible.
- Optimizing prosthetic design and surgical techniques for TK amputations can improve patient outcomes.