title: Turning performance in persons with a dysvascular transtibial amputation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Turning is an inherent problem in all lower limb amputees and more so in older dysvascular amputees. This study aimed to compare the turning performance of dysvascular amputees with that of the traumatic amputees.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six dysvascular transtibial amputees (69.83 ± 6.3 years) and six traumatic transtibial amputees (68.3 ± 6.6 years) completed the Step Quick Turn test of the NeuroCom(®) Balance Master and the Timed Up and Go Test. The measures used for comparison were as follows: turn time and turn sway of Step Quick Turn test, turning 180° to both the prosthetic and sound side and time taken to complete the Timed Up and Go Test.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Mann-Whitney U test demonstrated a significant difference (p < 0.05) between the dysvascular and traumatic groups in turn sway to the prosthetic (70.7 ± 14.2 and 43.3 ± 9.7) and sound sides (72.5 ± 16.1 and 43.5 ± 8.2). Similar results were observed in turn time to the prosthetic (4.1 ± 1.4 and 1.7 ± 0.46) and sound sides (4.0 ± 1.3 and 2.1 ± 0.5). No significant difference was observed for the Timed Up and Go Test.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The observed differences suggest that dysvascular amputees are less able to adapt to the challenges associated with turning. More attention is required in the rehabilitation of dysvascular amputees in turning tasks particularly towards the prosthetic side.
authors.affiliation: 1School of Health Sciences and Social Care, Brunel University, Middlesex, UK.
authors.forename: Prasath
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jayakaran
authors.forename: Gillian M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: S John
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Sullivan
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000674:Amputees / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001186:Artificial Limbs; D003925:Diabetic Angiopathies / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008124:Locomotion / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D013977:Tibia / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000150:complications*
keywords: Balance; dysvascular; function; lower limb amputation; traumatic