While early evidence suggests improvement in joint and limb loading mechanics during walking with a bone-anchored limb compared to socket prosthesis use, a team of researchers found that changes in cumulative joint and limb loading measures, which may be predictive of degenerative joint disease progression, were unknown. After a retrospective analysis of participant data, they concluded that despite increases in cumulative total limb and hip joint loading, between-limb loading asymmetries persisted.
The researchers, including Jason Stoneback, MD, UCHealth Osseointegration Research Consortium, compared changes in limb and hip joint loading during walking for people with unilateral transfemoral amputations who used a bone-anchored limb compared to prior socket prosthesis use.
The research team conducted a retrospective analysis of eight participants (four men, four women; BMI 27.7 ± 3.1kg/m2; age 50.4 ± 10.2 years). Daily step count and whole-body motion capture data were collected before (when they used a socket prosthesis) and one year after bone-anchored limb hardware implantation. Cumulative total limb and hip joint loading and between-limb loading symmetry metrics were calculated during overground walking at both time points and compared.
The study, “Cumulative loading increases and loading asymmetries persist during walking for people with a transfemoral bone-anchored limb,” was published in Gait & Posture.
