Musculoskeletal Measurements in Transfemoral Amputees

The aim of this study was to identify posture asymmetries in transfemoral amputees utilizing clinical evaluation measures. The purposes of this investigation were: 1) to measure the limb length indirectly to determine the proportion of participants with LLD and to quantify the mean amount of discrepancy. The investigators hypothesized that a majority of transfemoral amputees would present with a short prosthetic limb. 2) To measure pelvic tilt to determine if transfemoral amputees undergo musculoskeletal adaptations similar to those reported in the literature. The investigators hypothesized that transfemoral amputees would present with a greater degree of anterior pelvic tilt and pelvic innominate asymmetry than what has been previously reported. 3) To assess restriction in lateral trunk flexion and hip extension to determine if asymmetry was present and if it was related to the increase in anterior pelvic tilt. The investigators hypothesized that restrictions would be found in the lateral trunk flexors and hip flexors on the amputated side contributing to posture asymmetry at the pelvis. 4) To determine if musculoskeletal adaptations at the pelvis were affected by prosthetic limb length, lateral trunk flexion and hip extension restrictions, and residual limb length. The investigators hypothesized that the previously reported posture asymmetries would contribute to musculoskeletal adaptations at the pelvis and trunk. Results of the present study will provide a reference for clinicians when using clinical evaluation measures to determine the presence of posture asymmetries in transfemoral amputees. If posture asymmetries are detected, clinicians need to determine musculoskeletal structures at fault and offer treatment solutions to prevent secondary impairments.

Study Overview

• Status: Unknown
• Conditions: Lower Limb Loss

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Anticipated): 80

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Ignacio A Gaunaurd, MSPT; Phone Number: 4477 305-575-7000; Email: ignacio.gaunaurd@va.gov

Study Locations

• United States
  • Florida
    • Miami, Florida, United States, 33125
      • Recruiting
      • Miami Veterans Affairs Healthcare System
      • Contact: Mitscher Gajardo, BS; Phone Number: 4465 305-575-7000; Email: mitscher.gajardo@va.gov
      • Principal Investigator: Robert S Gailey, PhD,PT

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 80 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Unilateral Transfemoral and Knee Disarticulation Amputees

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

Healthy Individuals with:

1. Unilateral transfemoral or knee disarticulation amputations between the ages 18 to 80.
2. History of at least one episode of low back pain in the past.
3. Ambulate independently of an assisted device or those who require the use of a cane or crutches for walking on level grounds.
4. Comfortably fitted with prosthesis for a period of at least 6 months.
5. More than 12 months post-amputation.

Exclusion Criteria:

Individuals with:

1. Amputation on the contralateral limb.
2. Open wound on non-amputated side.
3. Neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease or stroke that affect their ability to ambulate.
4. Who require a walker or wheelchair for locomotion on level ground.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Lower Limb Amputees; Unilateral Above knee amputees

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Limb Length Discrepancy	Time of Observation
Standing Pelvic Tilt	Time of Observation
Lateral Trunk Flexion	Time of Observation
Hip Extension Range of Motion	Time of observation

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Residual Limb Length	Time of Observation

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Miami VA Healthcare System

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: January 1, 2006
• Primary Completion (Anticipated): June 1, 2010
• Study Completion (Anticipated): December 1, 2010

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: May 28, 2009
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 28, 2009
• First Posted (Estimate): May 29, 2009

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): May 29, 2009
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 28, 2009
• Last Verified: May 1, 2009

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Posture; Range of Motion; Amputation; Lower Extremity; Pelvis; Artificial Limbs; Prostheses; Amputees; Leg Length Inequality; Trunk Muscles
• Other Study ID Numbers: 3019.02