Using Clinically Relevant Outcome Measures to Assess the Ambulatory Efficiency, Balance Confidence, and Overall Function Associated With “Stubby” Prostheses and C-Leg Prostheses for a Patient With Bilateral Transfemoral Prostheses

Abstract

In Brief Several factors influence which prosthetic solutions are most appropriate for patients with multiple limb loss. We present a case subject with left transhumeral and bilateral transfemoral amputations who possessed the ability to ambulate effectively with both stubby and C-leg prostheses and could interchange the two prosthetic systems according to her needs and preferences. The Physiologic Cost Index, Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale, and the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure were used to quantify the gait efficiency, balance confidence, and general functional abilities experienced in the two prosthetic systems. The stubbies were consistently associated with better outcomes across all three indices. These findings help explain the subject's general preference for the stubby prostheses over the C-legs for most activities. Several factors influence which prosthetic solutions are most appropriate for patients with multiple limb loss. This study presents a case subject with left transhumeral and bilateral transfemoral amputations who could ambulate effectively with both stubby and C-leg prostheses and could interchange the two prosthetic systems according to her needs and preferences. The Physiologic Cost Index, Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale, and the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure were used to quantify the gait efficiency, balance confidence, and general functional abilities experienced in the two prosthetic systems. The stubbies were consistently associated with better outcomes across all three indices.