Acute Knee Crutch Use Provokes Changes to Postural Strategy

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Rehabilitation Science
• Biomechanics

Background:

• Single-leg knee crutches offer hands-free mobility, potentially improving upon standard axillary crutches.
• Evaluating the immediate impact of these novel devices on user balance is crucial for understanding their clinical application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effects of first-time use of single-leg knee crutches on static and dynamic balance in healthy adults.

Main Methods:

• Twenty healthy participants underwent baseline balance tests (BTrackS Balance Test for static, BTrackS Limits of Stability for dynamic).
• Following knee crutch fitting and practice, balance tests were repeated while using the device.
• Custom lateral bias scores were derived from dynamic balance tests.

Main Results:

• Static balance path length nearly doubled and percentile rankings decreased on the BBT.
• Dynamic balance area was significantly reduced (p < .001), with participants showing a strong preference for their non-crutched leg (p < .001).
• A shift towards a single-leg stance strategy was observed.

Conclusions:

• Wearing single-leg knee crutches significantly alters both static and dynamic balance capabilities.
• Despite initial balance deficits, participants demonstrated readiness for independent ambulation and testing with the device.