The Effectiveness of Frontal Plane Adaptability in a Novel Foot Prosthesis for People with Above-Knee Amputations, Bilateral Amputations, or Limited Mobility
Abstract
The proposed study evaluates whether an innovative prosthetic foot with side-to-side adaptability improves movement and performance for people with above-knee amputations, bilateral amputations, or unilateral below-knee amputations who have lower levels of mobility. The research design includes community activities and mobility tests that are evaluated quantitatively, with standardized questionnaires, and with participant feedback. People with amputations have problems with balance, pain, and mobility because a prosthesis does not have all the capabilities of a normal foot. A foot moves side-to-side, inward and outward, during most activities. Foot prostheses have been developed mostly for forward walking. Prostheses do not perform as well on uneven ground, cross-slopes, turning, side-step, or stairs because they lack side-to-side motion. Also, when the foot hits the ground, forces push on the body depending on the angle of the foot to the ground. Protheses that do not adapt cause larger forces at the residual limb resulting in pain and can cause people to stumble. The META Arc (WillowWood, Ohio) includes an innovative linkage that provides spontaneous side-to-side adaptability to ground contact similar to an anatomical foot. The proposed research will see if this linkage helps people with above-knee amputations, bilateral amputations, and people with lower levels of mobility manage their everyday activities better. In our previous clinical trial for people with amputations and high levels of mobility, they went to the beach, hiking, farming, and other challenging activities while using the innovative prosthetic foot. They also found simpler activities like cooking, cleaning, and carrying things worked better. The goal of this project is to see how this new prosthesis affects other people with amputations. The results from the proposed study will impact people with amputations and unique mobility needs. Based on 2005 projections, over 1 million adults live with lower extremity amputation in the U.S. Approximately 22,000 people undergo an above-knee amputation each year. Approximately 12,000 people have bilateral amputations, although precise numbers are not available. The largest group of clients seen by prosthetists are people with transtibial amputations and a limited level of mobility (36%). The META Arc is currently available, but the foot prosthesis is currently indicated for people with higher levels of mobility. Recent research suggests that people with lower levels of mobility would benefit by more advanced feet, but there have not been clinical trials of this type of foot. People at all mobility levels need to position their feet on the ground. Multiple directions of adaptability might benefit many more people than would currently receive this foot. The proposed study will find this out. Also, the current study might find out about changes in prosthetic feet that would benefit a particular group of people with amputations if they have specific needs. Evidence that people can benefit from multidirectional adaptability in prosthetic feet might change the type of feet that people receive and the amount of reimbursement. There are other prosthetic feet with side-to-side adaptability, and the proposed research would imply that these feet might also benefit people with lower levels of mobility. Understanding the effect of prosthetic foot control and function is especially important for Veterans and Service Members because of the number of people in the populations to be studied. For Service Members determined to be unfit to complete their service due to battlefield injury, lower limb amputations were among the most prevalent and disabling injuries and with the most significant impacts. Above-knee and bilateral lower extremity amputations have become more common as a consequence of combat-related injuries. Veterans with amputations often have mobility challenges. Ultimately, these injuries reduce milita
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 04, 2024
- Source ID
- HT94252310314
Entities
People
- Murray Maitland
Organizations
- United States Army
- University of Washington