Residual-Limb Quality and Functional Mobility 1 Year After Transtibial Amputation Caused by Vascular Insufficiency
By Arwert, Henk J.; van Doorn-Loogman, Mirjam H.; Koning, Jan; Terburg, Martinus; Rol, Mathilde; Roebroeck, Marij E.; Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, Vol. 44, No. 5, pp. 717-722Publication Date: 2007
Study identified that residual-limb quality factors that are related to functional mobility 1 year after transtibial amputation. The functional mobility of 28 patients was evaluated 1 year after amputation using the Prosthesis Evaluation Questionnaire (PEQ), the Locomotor Index, and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. General residual-limb quality was assessed with the Chakrabarty score, a graded summed score that includes soft tissue condition, wound healing, and joint mobility. The maximum possible score is 100 points; a score equal to or greater than 60 points indicates a high-quality residual limb and a score of less than 60 indicates a low-quality residual limb. For bony residual-limb quality, it was determined that the tibial length should be 12 to 15 centimeters (cm) distal from the knee joint line and the fibular length should be 2 to 3 cm shorter than the tibial length to define high quality. Analysis of the data showed that the PEQ, the TUG test, and the Locomotor Index were significantly related to tibial length. A tibial length of 12 to 15 cm distal from the knee joint line correlated with a better functional outcome than shorter tibial lengths. The results regarding the relative fibular length are inconclusive.
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VA Rehabilitation Research & Development Service (Web Site: http://www.rehab.research.va.gov )
This publication is included in the library of the National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC), accession number J53576
