title: Ultrasonographic measurement of the distal femoral cartilage thickness in patients with unilateral transtibial amputation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lower limb amputation sometimes predisposes to degenerative secondary disorders.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the distal femoral cartilage thicknesses of patients with unilateral transtibial amputations using ultrasound and to investigate the relationship between cartilage thickness and disease-related parameters.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four unilateral transtibial amputees (mean age: 46.4 ± 8.5 years, range: 28-60 years) were evaluated. Duration of prosthesis use (years) and daily walking time with prosthesis (hours) were recorded. Functional status was assessed by gate velocity (m/s), and 6-min walking distance (m) with prosthesis. Ultrasound was used to measure distal femoral cartilage thicknesses bilaterally at medial/lateral condyles and the intercondylar areas. The percentages of cartilage loss (of the amputee-side in comparison with the nonamputee-side) were calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to the nonamputee-sides, distal femoral cartilage was significantly thinner at lateral condyles and the intercondylar areas on the amputee-sides (p < 0.05). Significant positive correlations were detected between the percentage of cartilage loss (at all three sites of measurement) and gate velocity, 6-min walking distance, and daily walking time with prosthesis (all p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Future prospective controlled studies are warranted to determine the principles of optimum prosthetic use regarding its possible effects on the femoral cartilage of amputee patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The correlations between the cartilage loss in the amputee extremity with faster gait and longer daily prosthetic use suggest that abnormal gait patterns might increase the loading on the amputated extremity.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey. nrakkaya@gmail.com
authors.forename: Nuray
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Akkaya
authors.forename: Semih
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Akkaya
authors.forename: Levent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Özçakar
authors.forename: Fahir
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Demirkan
authors.forename: Esat
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kiter
authors.forename: Sibel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Konukcu
authors.forename: Fusun
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ardic
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000674:Amputees; D001186:Artificial Limbs / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002356:Cartilage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013977:Tibia / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology
keywords: Transtibial amputation; amputee; cartilage thickness; femur; ultrasonography