Balance, Balance Confidence, and Falls Using Nonmicroprocessor and Microprocessor Knee Prostheses: A Case Study After Vascular Amputation With 12-Month Follow-Up

摘要

People with vascular leg amputations are typically older adults and are at a greater risk to fall, especially those with transfemoral amputation. Although balance confidence has been more predictive of prosthetic mobility than a simple history of falls, clinical measures of balance ability may provide a more objective assessment of fall risk. This case study documents balance ability, balance confidence, fall history, and activity participation in a person with transfemoral amputation due to vascular disease using 1) a non-microprocessor knee (MPK) prosthesis, 2) an MPK prosthesis after initial training, and 3) the MPK prosthesis after 1 year. The subject demonstrated higher balance ability measured with the Berg balance scale and timed-up-and-go test and higher Activity-specific Balance Confidence scale scores using the MPK prosthesis. The subject also did not fall and returned to participation in leisure activities using the MPK prosthesis. Although balance, balance confidence, and activity without falls improved in this case, future research is needed to identify and reduce causes of falls and to determine effect of different prostheses on balance in people with vascular transfemoral amputations, before making clinical conclusions.