Investigation of walking speed and plantar pressure after chopart amputation.

Abstract

In foot amputation, Chopart amputation is considered to have a high risk of deformity, and can result in poor function. We experienced a case in which Chopart amputation combined with tendon transfer and tendon lengthening was performed, and the patient was eventually able to walk independently with a foot prosthesis without experiencing deformity of the foot. We investigated walking speed and plantar pressure after Chopart amputation with and without a foot prosthesis. A 78-year-old man underwent Chopart amputation with tendon transfer and tendon lengthening. As a result, he was able to stand up and walk, both while bearing weight on the heel of the affected foot, but he was unable to push off the ground using that foot. When a foot prosthesis was introduced, the patient's walking speed increased from 0.6 m/s without the prosthesis to 0.8 m/s with the prosthesis, which was an increase of 33%. The plantar pressure at the stump decreased from 129.3 N/cm2 on average without the prosthesis to 51.6 N/cm2 with the prosthesis, which was a 59% decrease. Wearing a foot prosthesis improved the patient's walking speed and decreased plantar pressure at the amputation stump.