title: THE EFFECT OF THE C-LEG KNEE PROSTHESIS ON SENSORY DEPENDENCY AND FALLS DURING SENSORY ORGANIZATION TESTING.
abstract: A mechanistic explanation for previously observed safety improvements with microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knees is needed. A repeated measures design of 15 subjects with unilateral transfemoral amputation was used to assess changes between baseline use of their standard of care, mechanical pros-theses, and a C-Leg microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knee. The primary outcome measures were sensory dependency scores for somatosensory, visual, vestibular, and visual preference, which were calculated based on a Sensory Organization Test. Falls during posturographic assessment were also recorded. Somatosensory system dependency significantly increased (p= 0.047) while using the C-Leg compared to a nonmicroprocessor prosthetic knee (NMPK). Reliance on visual with vestibular input and reliance on vestibular input alone were not significantly increased with C-Leg use (p= 0.41 andp= 0.15, respectively). When utilizing the C-Leg, there was a significant reduction in the average number of falls (p= 0.03). Hence, increased reliance on somatosensory input is a possible explanation for improved balance with use of a microprocessor prosthetic knee (MPK).
authors: School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA ; Center for Neuromusculoskeletal Research, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
authors: M Jason
authors: MJ
authors: Highsmith
authors: School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
authors: Jason T
authors: JT
authors: Kahle
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
authors: Neil T
authors: NT
authors: Shepard
authors: Department of Orthopaedics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
authors: Kenton R
authors: KR
authors: Kaufman
keywords: Amputee; Balance; NeuroCom; Rehabilitation; Safety; Transfemoral