Walking Ability and Quality of Life in Subjects With Transfemoral Amputation: A Comparison of Osseointegration With Socket Prostheses

Abstract

ObjectiveTo investigate walking ability and quality of life of osseointegrated leg prostheses compared with socket prostheses. DesignProspective case-control study. SettingUniversity medical center. ParticipantsSubjects (N=22) with transfemoral amputation (1 bilateral) referred to our center because of socket-related skin and residual limb problems resulting in limited prosthesis use. Their mean age was 46.5 years (range, 23–67y) and mean time since amputation was 16.4 years (range, 2–45y). Causes of amputation were trauma (n=20) and tumor (n=2). InterventionImplantation of an osseointegration prosthesis (OIP). Main Outcome MeasuresGlobal score of the Questionnaire for Persons With a Transfemoral Amputation (Q-TFA), prosthesis use, 6-minute walk test (6MWT), Timed Up & Go (TUG) test, and oxygen consumption during treadmill walking. ResultsWith the socket prosthesis, the mean ± SD Q-TFA global score, prosthesis use, 6MWT, TUG, and oxygen consumption were 39±4.7 points, 56±7.9h/wk, 321±28m, 15.1±2.1 seconds, and 1330±310mL/min, respectively, and significantly improved with OIP to 63±5.3 points, 101±2.4h/wk, 423±21m, 8.1±0.7 seconds, and 1093±361mL/min, respectively. ConclusionsOsseointegration is a suitable intervention for persons whose prosthesis use is reduced because of socket-related problems. Subjects with OIP significantly increased their walking ability and prosthesis-related quality of life.