Kinematic gait adaptations in unilateral transtibial amputees during rehabilitation.
BACKGROUND
Physiotherapists routinely prescribe the use of two different early walking aids (EWAs) to individuals who have recently undergone unilateral transtibial amputation. No research to date has investigated the kinematic gait patterns of transtibial amputees walking with an EWA during early rehabilitation. The aim of the current RCT study was to compare gait patterns when walking with two different EWAs and whether either EWA provided patients with greater gait benefits.


METHODS
Patients were randomly assigned into one of two EWA groups, one group using the Amputee Mobility Aid and another using the Pneumatic Post-Amputation Aid, prior to receiving their functional prosthesis. A 3D motion capture system recorded kinematic data from their first steps up to discharge from rehabilitation.


RESULTS
Walking velocity increased significantly (p < 0.01) during rehabilitation. Control of the prosthetic knee improved during rehabilitation in both groups. A lack of conclusive differences between EWAs was noted at discharge from rehabilitation.


CONCLUSIONS
Both groups displayed changes in gait patterns in different gait measures during rehabilitation. However, these changes were not the same for both groups. Gait adaptations occurred soon after walking with a functional prosthesis.


CONCLUSIONS
The results from this study would suggest that neither EWA was more beneficial for gait retraining during rehabilitation.
Department of Sport, Health and Exercise Science, University of Hull.
Cleveland
C
Barnett
Natalie
N
Vanicek
Remco
R
Polman
Amanda
A
Hancock
Barbara
B
Brown
Lynne
L
Smith
Ian
I
Chetter
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000674:Amputees / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D001186:Artificial Limbs; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D007866:Leg; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010388:Pelvis / Q000503:physiopathology; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty / Q000379:methods; D004856:Postural Balance; D011187:Posture; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D016138:Walking