SAN ANTONIO — A user trial of microprocessor knees showed improved function in long-term mechanical knee wearers, according to data presented here at the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association National Assembly.
Charla Howard, orthotics and prosthetics research associate at the Methodist Rehabilitation Center in Jackson, Miss., conducted a study of four novice mechanical knee users.
Charla Howard
“To relate standard clinical measures to user preferences, we performed clinical assessments including the Amputee Mobility Predictor, Berg Balance Scale, L-Test, 6-Minute Walk Test and Physiological Cost Index,” Howard said. Researchers also used a prosthesis evaluation questionnaire measuring user well-being, mobility, utility and overall satisfaction.
“We saw improved satisfaction when users wore the microprocessor knees as compared to the mechanical knees,” Howard said. “We also saw gains in perceived balance, mobility and endurance.”
Howard said objective and subjective assessments should be considered when evaluating an alternative device, and future studies should perform fact analyses to examine underlying structures of commonly used subjective composite measures. – by Shawn M. Carter
Reference:
Howard C. Paper #C6F. Presented at: American Orthotic Prosthetic Association National Assembly; Oct. 7-10, 2015; San Antonio.
Disclosure: Howard reports the research was funded by Össur and the Wilson Research Foundation at the Methodist Rehabilitation Center.
