Reported physical activity and quality of life in people with lower limb amputation using two types of prosthetic...

Vacuum-assisted suspension systems provide better suspension than non-vacuum systems, but data are limited on whether they improve physical activity levels and quality of life for people with amputation.

To compare the physical activity and quality of life levels of people with transtibial amputation using PIN/LOCK suspension system or vacuum-assisted suspension systems with those of able-bodied controls and to investigate parameters associated with physical activity levels.

A cross-sectional observational study.

Fifty-one people with amputation and 51 controls participated. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form and Short Form 36 were used to measure the physical activity and quality of life, respectively.

The total physical activity and Short Form 36 scores were significantly lower in the participants with amputation than the controls. There were no significant differences between the two types of suspension systems in terms of physical activity levels and quality of life. The vacuum-assisted suspension system users reported significantly more bodily pain on the Short Form 36 questionnaire than the controls (p = 0.003). The only parameter that correlated significantly with the total physical activity was the Short Form 36 physical functioning subscale (r = 0.302, p = 0.031).

Contrary to our expectations, vacuum-assisted suspension system users compared to PIN/LOCK users did not report greater levels of physical activity or improved quality of life or levels closer to comparable controls.

A better understanding of the effects of different prosthetic suspension systems on physical activity and quality of life may help clinicians when prescribing prostheses, as well as setting appropriate prosthetic expectations. This study suggests that vacuum-assisted suspension systems and PIN/LOCK suspension systems provide equal benefit to users with regards to physical activity and quality of life.