Weight-bearing asymmetry during sit-to-stand after major lower-limb amputation: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Weight-bearing asymmetry during sit-to-stand (STS) can cause musculoskeletal problems in people with major lower-limb amputation. Does weight-bearing asymmetry differ between individuals with major lower-limb amputation and individuals without amputation? We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis. We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and HAL up to June 2022 using keywords and inclusion/exclusion criteria. Article quality was assessed. Data for population, intervention, weight-bearing asymmetry, and biomechanical analysis were reported. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) were calculated from the outcomes when possible. We included 11 studies (102 people with amputation). Weight-bearing asymmetry was greater in people with amputation than those without amputation (SMD = 1.72 [1.30-2.14] p < 0.00001). It was greater for individuals with transtibial amputation (TTA) and with transfemoral amputation (TFA) than for those without amputation (SMD = 1.20 [0.76-1.65] p < 0.00001 and SMD = 5.32 [4.15-6.50] p < 0.00001, respectively). STS performance time was longer for people with amputation (SMD = 0.52 [0.23-0.81] p = 0.0004) than those without amputation. Trunk motion differed in those with amputation, and lower-limb kinematics differed considerably, especially for people with TFA. Weight-bearing is more asymmetric in people with amputation than in people without amputation. The differences in weight-bearing asymmetry and kinematics during STS between people with TTA and TFA suggest that different strategies are required to improve weight-bearing symmetry: improvements in active prosthetic knees in TFA and rehabilitation focused on weight-bearing in TTA.