Lower Limb Loss Research Articles

A 3D-Printed Phantom Twin and Multi-Transducer Holder for Dynamic Anatomical Ultrasonography of the Lower Limb

We aim to improve the residuum health of individuals suffering from lower-limb loss through ‘digital twin’ computational simulations for the creation of optimized 3D-printed prosthetic attachments. Our objective is to utilize 4D tracking data of various tissue interfaces as a primary input into the digital twin. Dynamic anatomical ultrasonography (DAU) is a novel technique in which synchronized individual transducers are positioned at known locations utilizing a 3D-printed holder. Pulse-echo ultrasound data are recorded and subsequently analyzed, providing plots of tissue interface depths versus recording time. For the scientific validation of the DAU technique, a bespoke 3D-printed phantom twin has been created incorporating replica compartments of soft-tissue interfaces and bone tissue of a healthy thigh. To demonstrate its utility, a preliminary experiment was performed in which the phantom twin was positioned within the DAU device and the replica bone manually traversed randomly; subsequent DAU analysis provided a plot of interface depth versus recording time.

Post‐COVID‐19 vaccination Guillain–Barré syndrome with sensory ataxia, gaze‐evoked nystagmus, mental‐status change and positive pathological reflex

AbstractBackgroundVarious neurological disorders have been reported after vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019, one of which is Guillain–Barré Syndrome (GBS).Case PresentationWe report a case of a 73‐year‐old woman who developed GBS and extra‐GBS manifestations 19 days after the second dose of BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine. She presented lower limb predominant muscle weakness and loss of tendon reflexes. Nerve conduction study showed acute motor and sensory axonal neuropathy. In addition, she developed notable deep sensory ataxia, and showed positive pathological reflex, gaze‐evoked nystagmus and altered consciousness, which suggested brainstem involvement.ConclusionsThis is the first coronavirus disease 2019 vaccine‐related GBS complicated with such central nervous system manifestations.

The lower limb-loss rehabilitation continuum (LLRC) – a framework for program design and implementation

Purpose: The multistep journey to prosthetic device-enabled functioning following amputation requires a structured approach for optimal care delivery, but such program structures and outcomes are inadequately characterized. The study is responsive by describing an implementation framework for lower limb loss rehabilitation and evaluating its utility. Materials and methods: The lower limb loss rehabilitation continuum framework (LLRC) was developed using literature-based continuum of care and amputation phase concepts as well as input from limb loss rehabilitation stakeholders. LLRC structure includes five sequential steps (Postsurgical Stabilization (PS), Preprosthetic Rehabilitation (PPR), Limb Healing and Maturation (LHM), Prosthetic Fitting (PF), Prosthetic Rehabilitation (PR)) between six touchpoints of patient-healthcare interaction (Surgery, Preprosthetic Rehabilitation Admission and Discharge, Functioning Evaluation and Prescription, Prosthetic Rehabilitation Admission and Discharge). The utility of this framework was evaluated through LLRC program implementation in a semiurban US setting and program functioning and process outcomes assessment from an IRB-approved, retrospective observational study about patients with unilateral lower-limb amputations completing this program. Results: Program functional (FIM gain; efficiency) scores were greater for PPR(32.6(8);3.1) compared with PR(24.3(8.5);3.8). Program completion duration was 149.7(63.4) days. LHM(75.8(58.5) days) and PF(51.4(24.3) days) were the longest steps. PR duration was significantly longer(p = 0.033) for the transfemoral level. Conclusion: The LLRC framework is useful for the design and implementation of structured limb loss rehabilitation programs. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION The lower limb-loss rehabilitation continuum (LLRC) is a novel implementation framework with a five-step structure from limb loss to completion of prosthetic rehabilitation between six touchpoints of patient-healthcare interaction, with standardized terminology and baseline and outcome metrics. The utility of the program was demonstrated by successful program development in a suburban health setting and actionable process outcomes and superior functioning outcomes compared with literature. The LLRC can be adapted by health systems, institutions, and care providers for program development. Programs can expect high FIM gains and efficiency for Preprosthetic rehabilitation and Prosthetic rehabilitation steps. With an LLRC completion time of 5 months, long Limb healing and maturation and Prosthetic fitting steps present areas of opportunity for improvement.

Daily steps and stepping cadence increase one-year following prosthesis osseointegration in people with lower-limb amputation

Purpose People with lower-limb loss participate in less physical activity than able-bodied individuals, which increases the mortality risk and incidence of metabolic syndromes. This study evaluated the effect of lower-limb prosthesis osseointegration on physical activity, including daily steps and stepping cadence. Methods Free-living walking activity was assessed from 14 patients scheduled to undergo prosthesis osseointegration at two time points (within 2 weeks prior to osseointegration surgery and 12-months following). Daily step count, stepping time, number of walking bouts, average step cadence per bout, maximum step cadence per bout, and time spent in bands of step cadence were compared before and after osseointegration. Results Twelve months after prosthesis osseointegration, participants increased daily steps, daily stepping time, average step cadence, and maximum cadence per walking bout compared to pre-osseointegration. Conclusions Participants engaged in more daily steps, higher stepping cadence, and longer bouts at higher cadence one year following osseointegration compared to when using a socket prosthesis. As a novel intervention that is becoming more common, it is important to understand walking activity outcomes as these are critical for long-term health.

Factors limiting the motor rehabilitation of elderly disabled persons with lower limb loss

Background. Amputation of a limb leads to significant changes in a person's life, since mobility restrictions affect the ability to perform daily tasks and professional duties.
 Aim. To identify factors that negatively affect the results of motor rehabilitation of elderly disabled people with lower limb loss.
 Material and methods. Data on patients with postamputation lower limb defects, who were divided into two groups, were analyzed. The first group (comparison group) included patients aged 60 years and younger 171 people, including 141 men and 30 women; the second group (main group) consisted of patients over 60 years of age 260 people, including 207 men and 53 women. Patients of the second group with a satisfactory result of rehabilitation were included in subgroup 2A, with an unsatisfactory result in subgroup 2B. The influence of gender, age, level of mobility, cognitive abilities, daily activity, level of amputation, presence of concomitant diseases, body mass index, duration of the post-amputation period on the result of rehabilitation in the second group were assessed. Statistical analysis used the 2 test, the MannWhitney U test for independent groups, and binary logistic regression.
 Results. The indicators of mobility before prosthetics in elderly people with disabilities did not differ significantly from those in people under the age of 60, however, by the end of the rehabilitation course, the optimal level of mobility in the room (without using a wheelchair) was reached by 75.4% of the comparison group and only by 52.7% of the main group (ꭓ2=22.59, р 0.001). Further analysis showed that at the age of over 66.5 years, the risk of obtaining an unsatisfactory result of motor rehabilitation is 2.3 times higher (p=0.006) than at the age of 6066.5 years. In older women, this risk is 2.7 times higher than in men of the same age (p=0.014). With a body mass index of more than 28.5 kg/m2, the risk increases by 3.2 times (p=0.001), and with a duration of the post-amputation period at the time of primary prosthetics of more than 1 year, it increases by 2.6 times (p=0.008) compared with lower values of these indicators in elderly people with disabilities.
 Conclusion. The factors associated with the unsatisfactory result of motor rehabilitation of elderly disabled people with lower limb loss are: age over 66.5 years, female sex, body mass index over 28.5 kg/m2, duration of the post-amputation period at the time of primary prosthesis over 1 year.

Protocol for a randomized controlled trial to assess the effect of Self-Management for Amputee Rehabilitation using Technology (SMART): An online self-management program for individuals with lower limb loss.

Lower limb loss (LLL) is a distressing experience with psychological, physical, and social challenges. Education is needed to enhance the coping skills and confidence of patients to improve LLL outcomes. However, access to rehabilitation services and education is limited outside of urban centers. To address this service gap, we co-created an eHealth platform, called Self-Management for Amputee Rehabilitation using Technology (SMART). First, we will test the effect of SMART and usual care compared with usual care only on walking capacity and confidence among individuals with LLL. Second, we will describe key implementation factors for program delivery and adoption at the person- and provider-level. This is a Type 1 Effectiveness-Implementation Hybrid Design, mixed-methods, multi-site (British Columbia and Ontario, Canada), parallel, assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial. Participants will include adults with unilateral LLL, during early prosthetic fitting (<2 years after casting for initial prosthesis). Participants in both groups will receive usual care. The experimental group will receive SMART with weekly support sessions from a trained peer mentor for goal setting and action planning for six weeks. Participants will be encouraged to continue using SMART for an additional four weeks. The control group will receive usual care, and weekly social contacts for six weeks. The primary outcome measure is walking capacity operationalized as the performance based Timed Up and Go test. The secondary outcome is walking confidence using the Ambulatory Self-Confidence Questionnaire. Outcome measures will be assessed at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and four weeks follow-up. We will describe key implementation factors (such as, participant experience, intervention adoption, fidelity) throughout the study using questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and direct observation. No participants have been enrolled. SMART has the potential to provide knowledge and skill development to augment rehabilitation outcomes for adults with LLL. NCT04953364 in Clinical Trial Registry (https://clinicaltrials.gov/).

Development of a co-created online self-management program for people with lower limb loss: self-management for amputee rehabilitation using technology (SMART)

Purpose To develop an online self-management program for individuals with recent lower limb loss, called Self-Management for Amputee Rehabilitation using Technology (SMART). Materials and methods We used the Intervention Mapping Framework as a blueprint and involved stakeholders throughout the process. A six-step study was conducted including (1) needs assessment using interviews, (2) translating needs to content, (3) applying the content into a prototype using theory-based methods, (4) a usability assessment using think-aloud cognitive testing, (5) planning for future adoption and implementation, and (6) assessing feasibility using mixed-methods to generate a plan to assess the effectiveness on health-outcomes in a randomized controlled trial. Results Following interviews with healthcare professionals (n = 31) and people with lower limb loss (n = 26), we determined the content of a prototype version. We then tested usability (n = 9) and feasibility (n = 12) by recruiting individuals with lower limb loss from different pools. We modified SMART to be assessed in a randomized controlled trial. SMART is a six-week online program with weekly contact of a peer mentor with lower limb loss who supported patients with goal-setting and action-planning. Conclusions Intervention mapping facilitated the systematic development of SMART. SMART may improve health outcomes, but this would need to be confirmed in future studies. Implications for rehabilitation Learning new coping strategies and habits are essential after lower limb loss. Given the limitations and inaccessibility of educational and rehabilitation programs, online self-management education can assist patients in their recovery. Self-Management for Amputee Rehabilitation using Technology (SMART) has the potential to augment the self-management behaviors in individuals with lower limb loss through an improvement in access to educational content, skill-based videos, and support of a peer.

Health utility in community-dwelling adults with dysvascular lower limb loss.

Adults with dysvascular lower extremity amputation (LEA) experience a large number of secondary health conditions yet there is a gap in the literature on health utility scores for this population. A health utility score relates to a person's state of well-being, and is a single metric anchored at 0 (death) and 1 (perfect health).This study aimed to provide a descriptive account of health utility scores in community-dwelling adults with dysvascular LEA. Participants were adults with dysvascular LEA who were 3months post-amputation. Data collected included socio-demographic characteristics, the Special Interest Group in Amputee Medicine (SIGAM)grades, the dysvascular conditions scale (DCS), which is a scale developed for this study, and the Short Form-36 (SF-36). SF-6D health utility scores were derived from the SF-36 using a software algorithm. Participants were grouped into low-impact and high-impact groups based on self-reported severity of symptoms using the DCS. Health utility scores were compared between the low-impact and high-impact groups using independent t-tests. A total of 231 participants were enrolled in the study. The mean SF-6D health utility score was 0.689 (0.127). A significant association was found between health utility score and SIGAM grade (p < 0.001, η2 = .09). Health utility was positively associated with age (r = 0.137, p = 0.037) and months post-amputation (r = 0.141, p = 0.032), and negatively associated with DCS severity (r = -0.526, p < 0.001). Health utility scores were lower for participants in the DCS high-impact groups for conditions such as diabetes mellitus, phantom limb pain, musculoskeletal pain, back pain, psychological distress, depression, vision problems, and other pain. Cost-utility analyses rely on health utility estimates and our findings provide data for future economic evaluations that may assist policy makers in evidence informed allocation of healthcare resources for this population.

Development and validation of the Self-Management Assessment for the Residuum and prosThesis system designed for persons with limb loss (SMART).

To develop a system of reliable and valid knowledge assessments of self-management in persons with lower limb loss, along with the accompanying targeted educational interventions (TEIs), known as the Self-Management Assessment for the Residuum and prosThesis (SMART) system. This 2-phase study used mixed methodology. Phase 1 was development, face validation, and content validation of the 60-item knowledge assessment measure (SMART 60) and the TEI. Phase 2 assessed internal consistency reliability using Kuder-Richardson Formula 20 and the creation of the SMART system, consisting of modules developed from the SMART 60. Validity of the measures using known groups' comparison was analyzed by comparing clinicians (prosthetists and physical therapists) with persons with lower limb loss. Participants were recruited from the Amputee Coalition National Conference in 2018 and 2019. A total of 140 participants completed this study. Four modules from the SMART 60 were created and designed to integrate as a system. Face validity survey average scores found that 9/10 participants either agreed or strongly agreed that the SMART system has high readability, perceived usefulness, and value for both new and experienced prosthetic users. Measure length ranged from 10 to 45 items with a reliability ranging from Kuder-Richardson Formula 20 = 0.70-0.82. The SMART system demonstrated known-groups validity ( p < 0.05). The SMART system is an integrated series of self-management knowledge assessments with reasonable to good internal consistency reliability and known-groups validity. The TEIs provide directed solutions to identified knowledge gaps on the assessments.

Relationship between phantom limb pain, function, and psychosocial health in individuals with lower-limb loss.

The adverse influence of chronic pain on function and psychological health in the general population is well understood. However, the relationship between phantom limb pain (PLP) after limb loss with function and psychological health is less clear. The study purpose was to assess the influences of PLP presence and intensity on function and psychosocial health in individuals with lower-limb loss (LLL). One hundred two individuals with major LLL completed a study-specific questionnaire on the presence and intensity of their PLP. The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System -29 questionnaire was also administered. Of 102 participants, 64% reported PLP, with a mean intensity of 4.8 ± 2.3 out of 10. Individuals with vs. without PLP demonstrated significantly greater sleep disturbances ( p = 0.03), whereas the differences in function, fatigue, pain interference, depressive symptoms, anxiety, or ability to participate in social roles and activities were not statistically different between groups ( p > 0.05). Of note, mean scores for many of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-29 short forms among the current sample were similar to the mean of the general population, minimizing the potential clinical impact of PLP on these domains. Our findings indicate a lack of meaningful associations between PLP presence or intensity with function, and psychosocial health among individuals with LLL. These findings conflict with previous research suggesting an adverse relationship between PLP, function, and psychosocial health after limb loss.

Enabling Mobility: A Simulation Model of the Health Care System for Major Lower-Limb Amputees to Assess the Impact of Digital Prosthetics Services

The World Health Organization estimates that 5 to 15% of amputees in any given population have access to a prosthesis. This figure is likely to worsen as the amputee population is expected to double by 2050, straining the limited capacity of prosthetics services. Without proper and timely prosthetic interventions, amputees with major lower-limb loss experience adverse mobility outcomes, including the loss of independence, lowered quality of life, and decreased life expectancy. Presently, the use of digital technology in prosthetics (e.g., 3D imaging, digital processing, and 3D printed sockets) is contended as a viable solution to this problem. This paper uses system dynamics modeling to assess the impact of digital prosthetics service provision. Our simulation model represents the patient-care continuum and digital prosthetics market system, providing a feedback-rich causal theory of how digital prosthetics impacts amputee mobility and the corollary socio-health-economic outcomes over time. With sufficient resources for market formation and capacity expansion for digital prosthetics services, our work suggests an increased proportion of prosthesis usage and improved associated health-economic outcomes. Accordingly, our findings could provide decision support for health policy to better mitigate the accessibility problem and bolster the social impact of prosthesis usage.

Risk Factors for Underreporting of Life-Limiting Comorbidity Among Adults With Lower-Limb Loss.

Peripheral neuropathy (PN) and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) are life-limiting comorbidities among adults with lower-limb loss that may not be adequately addressed in current care models. The objective of this study was to evaluate underreporting of PN and PAD among adults with lower-limb loss. We conducted a secondary analysis of a cross-sectional dataset of community-dwelling adults with unilateral lower-limb loss seen in an outpatient Limb Loss Clinic (n = 196; mean age = 56.7 ± 14.4 years; 73.5% male). Individuals participated in standardized clinical examinations including Semmes-Weinstein monofilament testing to assess for PN and pedal pulse palpation to assess for PAD. Bivariate regression was performed to identify key variables for subsequent stepwise logistic regression to discern risk factors. Clinical examination results indicated 16.8% (n = 33) of participants had suspected PN alone, 15.8% (n = 31) had suspected PAD alone, and 23.0% (n = 45) had suspected PN and PAD. More than half of participants with clinical examination findings of PN or PAD failed to self-report the condition (57.7% and 86.8%, respectively). Among adults with lower-limb loss with suspected PN, participants with dysvascular amputations were at lower risk of underreporting (odds ratio [OR] = 0.2, 95% CI: 0.1-0.6). For those with suspected PAD, those who reported more medication prescriptions were at lower risk of underreporting (OR = 0.8, 95% CI: 0.7-1.0). Adults with lower-limb loss underreport PN and PAD per a medical history checklist, which may indicate underdiagnosis or lack of patient awareness. Routine assessment is highly recommended in this population and may be especially critical among individuals with non-dysvascular etiology.

Hospital clinicians’ perceptions and experiences of care pathways for chronic limb-threatening ischaemia: a qualitative study

BackgroundChronic limb-threatening ischaemia (CLTI) is a condition associated with significant risks of lower limb loss and mortality, which increase with delays in management. Guidance recommends urgent referral and assessment, but delays are evident at every stage of the CLTI patient pathway. This study uses qualitative methods to explore hospital clinicians’ experiences and perceptions of the existing CLTI pathway.MethodsA qualitative interview study was conducted. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 13 clinicians involved in the assessment of patients referred to hospital with suspected CLTI, identified via purposive sampling from English vascular surgery units. Clinicians included podiatrists, vascular specialist nurses and doctors. Reflexive thematic analysis was performed on the data from a critical realist position.ResultsThe need for speed was the single overarching theme identified. Four linked underlying themes were also identified;1. Vascular surgery as the poor relation (compared to cancer and other specialties), with a sub-theme of CLTI being a challenging diagnosis.2. Some patients are more equal than others, with sub-themes of diabetes vs. non-diabetes, hub vs. spoke and frailty vs. non-frail.3. Life in the National Health Service (NHS) is tough, with sub-themes of lack of resource and we’re all under pressure.4. Non-surgeons can help.ConclusionsThe underlying themes generated from the rich interview data describe barriers to timely referral, assessment and management of CLTI, as well as the utility of non-surgical roles such as podiatrists and vascular specialist nurses as a potential solution for delays. The overarching theme of the need for speed highlights the meaning given to adverse consequences of delays in management of CLTI by clinicians involved in its assessment. Future improvement projects aimed at the CLTI pathway should take these findings into account.

Lumbar Degenerative Disease and Muscle Morphology Before and After Lower Limb Loss in Four Military Patients.

Low back pain (LBP) is highly prevalent after lower limb amputation (LLA). Reports describing longitudinal changes in spine health before and after amputation are rare. This study describes lumbar spine pathology, muscle morphology, and the continuum of care for LBP before and after LLA. We queried electronic medical records of patients who sought care for LBP before and after unilateral LLA between January 2002 and April 2020 and who had documented lumbar imaging pre- and post-LLA. Patient demographics, muscle morphology, spinal pathology, premorbid and comorbid conditions, self-reported pain, and treatment interventions were assessed. Four patients with LBP and imaging before and after LLA were identified. Intervertebral disc degeneration progressed after amputation in three patients, whereas facet arthrosis progressed in both female patients. The fat content of lumbar musculature generally increased after amputation. Conservative management of LBP before and after amputation was standard, with progression to steroidal injections. Lumbar spine health may degrade after amputation. Here, lumbar muscle size did not change after LLA, yet the fat content increased in combination with increases in facet and intervertebral disc degeneration.

Socioecological model-based design and implementation principles of lower limb preservation programs as partners for limb-loss rehabilitation programs- A mini-review.

People with lower limb loss, especially of dysvascular etiology, are at substantial risk for both ipsilateral and contralateral reamputation. Additionally, while not as well documented for reamputation, there is recognition that amputation incidence is influenced by not only sociodemographic factors such as sex, race, socioeconomic status, but also by system factors such as service access. A systems strategy to address this disparity within the field of limb-loss rehabilitation is for Limb-loss Rehabilitation Programs (LRP) to partner with medical specialists, mental health professionals, and Limb Preservation Programs (LPP) to provide comprehensive limb care. While LPPs exist around the nation, design principles for such programs and their partnership role with LRPs are not well established. Using a socioecological model to incorporate hierarchical stakeholder perspectives inherent in the multidisciplinary field of limb care, this review synthesizes the latest evidence to focus on LPP design and implementation principles that can help policymakers, healthcare organizations and limb-loss rehabilitation and limb-preservation professionals to develop, implement, and sustain robust LPP programs in partnership with LRPs.

Experiences of lower limb prosthesis users in Kenya: a qualitative study to understand motivation to use and satisfaction with prosthetic outcomes

Purpose To explore the personal and system factors that motivate and enhance outcomes for patients accessing a prosthetic service and using a lower-limb prosthesis within a low resource setting. Materials and methods This study employed a qualitative approach to explore the motivations and satisfaction of individuals with lower limb loss engaging with a prosthetic service in Mombasa, Kenya. In-depth interviews were conducted over Microsoft Teams with 10 lower limb prosthesis users and thematic analysis was applied. Results Five key themes emerged: acceptance, self-determination, hope, clinician relationship and perception. These findings demonstrate the importance of hopeful thinking and a supportive community in overcoming physical and stigmatising challenges. The findings further highlight the value of the service provider relationship beyond just prescribing an assistive device. Conclusion These results have relevance in developing patient-centred services, assistive devices and personnel training that are responsive, motivating, and cognisant of the service user. This is of particular interest as assistive technology services are newly developed in low resource settings. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION This research provides an understanding of lower-limb prosthesis users’ satisfaction of a device and motivation for engaging with a prosthetic service within a low resource setting. The relationship the rehabilitation professional has with the service user plays a significant role in facilitating motivation during rehabilitation. Rehabilitation professionals should consider how they can foster a network of support amongst service users when planning services in remote, rural locations. Rehabilitation professionals should be aware of how hopeful thinking can be facilitated during rehabilitation to support motivation. When reviewing the success of services, or designing new service models, the service users should be consulted on what they would deem as a successful outcome.

Low-cost prosthetic feet for underserved populations: A comparison of gait analysis and mechanical stiffness.

Lower-limb loss is an ongoing cause of disability throughout the world. Despite advancements in prosthetic technologies, there are numerous underserved populations in need of effective low-cost prosthetic foot options. To evaluate the biomechanical performance of several low-cost prosthetic feet, using a combination of instrumented gait analysis and mechanical stiffness testing. Randomized crossover with additional case study. We compared the solid-ankle-cushioned-heel (SACH), Jaipur, and Niagara feet with carbon fiber feet. Mechanical stiffness was evaluated using a cantilever-style bending test at 2 angles that was designed to mimic late stance gait loading. Eight below-knee amputees participated in the gait analysis, which focused on foot and ankle motion and energetics. Metric analysis showed significant differences among feet in ankle motion and power as well as distal-to-shank power, with SACH showing reduced ankle motion and positive work compared with the other feet. Waveform analysis additionally revealed a compensatory knee flexion moment in SACH and a knee extension moment in Niagara and Jaipur during midstance. In mechanical stiffness testing, SACH had the highest stiffness, with Niagara and carbon fiber roughly similar, and Jaipur the most compliant with the greatest hysteresis. There may be an optimal stiffness range for future prosthesis designs that maximizes propulsive energy. This may be achieved by combining some characteristics of Jaipur and Niagara feet in new designs. Ultimately, optimizing stiffness and energetics for gait biomimicry while maintaining cost, availability, and versatility across cultures will alleviate the effects of limb loss among underserved populations.

Reconstruction des pertes de substance des membres inférieurs par lambeau libre en urgence : à propos de 23 cas sur 11 ans

To study the coverage period influence and various parameters concerning the microsurgical act on the patient clinical outcomes. We report 23 cases of reconstruction of lower limb loss of substance by free flap operated from 2010 to 2021. Among them, 9 patients were operated on as an emergency versus 14 in the secondary or late phase of the trauma. The average age of injured patients operated on emergency was 42 years (17-68 years) and 34 years for the patients who undergo deferred surgery (17-57 years). The sex ratio (female/male) was 22% in patients operated on urgently and 7% in patients operated on later. Regarding the type of free flap, it was Serratus anterior muscle flap in 10 cases, Latissismus dorsi flap in 9 cases, ALT flap in 3 cases and Gracilis muscle flap in 1 case. There were 2 failures of vascularized free transfer (8.7%) with complete necrosis of the flap and 3 revision surgeries on venous thrombosis which finally made it possible to obtain 3 flap successes. We analyze the results (complications/osteitis) according to the time to coverage. In our study, we did not find any significant difference between the groups operated in emergency and at a distance concerning the rate of infection and failure of the flaps.

Walking asymmetry and its relation to patient-reported and performance-based outcome measures in individuals with unilateral lower limb loss

ABSTRACT Gait asymmetry persists for most people after lower limb amputation and is associated with slower walking speeds. However, the relationship between gait asymmetry and patient-reported function remains unclear because they are not commonly assessed together. The purpose of this study was to determine relationships between gait asymmetries in people with lower limb loss and (1) patient-reported outcomes and (2) performance-based prosthetic functional measures. This cross-sectional analysis included nine people with unilateral limb loss aged 48.2 ± 13.1 years of mixed amputation etiology. Patient-reported outcomes included the Prosthetic Evaluation Questionnaire mobility subscale and Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale. Performance outcomes included the Berg Balance Scale and the 30-second sit-to-stand test. Walking performance measures included the 2-Minute Walk Test, during which APDM Opal sensors recorded spatiotemporal gait parameters, and daily step-counts from StepWatch4 activity monitors. The study found that the most asymmetric gait symmetry ratios (prosthetic-limb divided by intact-limb) could be attributed to prosthetic foot dorsiflexion-plantarflexion and rotation motion limitations: prosthetic-limb trailing double support (0.789 ± 0.052), toe-off (0.760 ± 0.068) and toe-out angle (0.653 ± 0.256). Single limb stance, and stance and swing phase durations were most strongly associated with balance and walking performance measures. Notably, no symmetry ratio was significantly associated with patient-reported prosthetic function (unadjusted Pearson correlation coefficients r < 0.50, P > 0.05). More gait symmetry was associated with better balance and walking performance but had no significant relationship with patient-reported function. Although achieving gait symmetry after lower limb loss is a common walking goal, symmetry was unrelated to the perception of functional mobility for people with lower limb loss.

The experience of self-managing from the perspective of persons with lower limb loss, prosthetists, and physical therapists

Purpose Persons with lower limb loss (PwLLL) must self-manage their residual limb and their prosthesis to prevent self-management related complications (SMRC). However, the experience of PwLLL as it relates to self-management has not been reported. Thus, the purpose of this study was to explore the experience of self-management from the perspective of PwLLL, prosthetists, and physical therapists. Methods This study had a qualitative design. Twenty-three participants were interviewed (PwLLL = 10, prosthetists = 7, physical therapists = 6). Interviews were transcribed and then coded using constant comparison. Results Four prominent themes were developed from the transcripts: (1) embodying the duty of self-management, (2) being a vigilant self-advocate, (3) setting goals collaboratively, and (4) making informed decisions. Each of the four themes were influenced by the health beliefs of the PwLLL, specifically motivation and presence of an internal locus of control. Conclusion Clinicians should emphasize the therapeutic relationship, including open communication, collaborative goal setting, and promoting an internal locus of control in interactions with PwLLL, as it may play a role in decreasing SMRC and improving clinical outcomes. Implications for rehabilitation Self-management is a crucial aspect of preventing secondary complications associated with limb loss and prosthesis use. Self-management requires an internal locus of control, problem-solving abilities, and foundational knowledge Clinicians can promote self-management through collaborative goal setting and systematic education.