Assessment of Deviation from the Optimal Residual Limb Length in Unilateral Transtibial Amputees on Energy Expenditure during Walking
Date of Award
Spring 5-4-2024
Document Type
Non Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Orthotics and Prosthetics
Department
Kinesiology
First Advisor
Amy Funke
Abstract
Several studies have found the optimal residual limb length for persons with transtibial amputations to be between five to seven inches in length; however, there is a lack of data determining how far that length can deviate from optimal length before energy expenditure during gait is negatively impacted. Fifty unilateral transtibial amputees performed a walking protocol at pre-determined walking speeds to assess their energy expenditure. Their limbs ranged from three to nine inches long, which provided a control group in the optimal length range and experimental group outside of the optimal length range. Heart rate, oxygen uptake (VO2), and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were used to assess energy expenditure at each stage of the protocol and a one-way ANOVA with post-hoc tests were used to analyze the data. Understanding this range of deviationfrom optimal limb length could provide additional considerations when surgeons are choosing an amputation level and allow prosthetists to address expectations early when working with these patients.