title: Does the new Helix 3D hip joint improve walking of hip disarticulated amputees?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Testing the new hip joint Helix3D efficiency through clinical data and walking parameters.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three young hip-disarticulated patients (P1, P2 and P3) were assessed both with their previous prosthesis at first day, then four days and six months after being trained with a new prosthesis equipped with the Helix3D hip joint. Assessments comprised a satisfaction questionnaire, a two-minute walk test and a recording of main spatiotemporal gait parameters
  
  
  RESULTS
  After four days with the Helix3D, the satisfaction for the prosthesis was improved for P1, unchanged for P2 and reduced for P3. Distance walked during two minutes increased for P1, unchanged for P2 and slightly improved for P3. Gait pattern was improved in P1, only. P1 abandoned the Helix3D at six months due to an ischiatic wound. P2 and P3 chose not to use the Helix at the end of the four days training period because they could not adapt to the Helix3D characteristics (hydraulic control of hip extension and assistance to hip flexion) and because they did not gain enough benefits. Despite much effort to adjust the prosthesis, the three patients definitively abandoned the Helix3D because of comfort problems, and decided to walk with their previous prosthesis equipped with a monocentric hip joint or even with crutches only.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Helix3D hip joint may need further developments to get clinically relevant for hip-disarticulated amputees who may also need a long training period to adapt to its technical characteristics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Grenoble University Hospital, Institute of Rehabilitation, avenue de Kimberley, CS 90338, BP, 38434 Echirolles cedex, France. EGailledrat@chu-grenoble.fr
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gailledrat
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Moineau
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Seetha
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: DeAngelis
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Saurel
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chabloz
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Nougier
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pérennou
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004188:Disarticulation / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000601:surgery; D006622:Hip Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Amputee; Amputé; Désarticulation de hanche; Gait; Hip disarticulation; Marche; Prosthesis; Prothèse; Rehabilitation; Rééducation