Military service members who have undergone rehabilitation following limb salvage or a transtibial amputation were evaluated to characterize the type and magnitude of their physical performance deficits. Researchers concluded that severe limb trauma significantly affected the participants’ performance, particularly during tasks requiring strength and power from the lower limb.
In an article published online January 8 in the Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma, 20 veterans with lower-limb trauma resulting in limb salvage and 14 veterans with unilateral transtibial amputations were compared to 123 uninjured service members during a single testing session. Physical performance was measured using the Four Square Step Test, and sit-to-stand and timed stair ascent tests. Participants with limb salvage were tested with and without the use of a custom carbon fiber orthosis.
The data showed that the participants’ ability to rapidly ascend stairs, a demanding lower-limb mobility task, is limited following amputation and limb salvage. However, they tested at near-normal performance levels on the Four Square Step Test. Differences between individuals with amputation or limb salvage were less than one second for all tests, and not statistically significant, according to the study’s authors.
Individuals with an amputation or limb salvage who were provided with a custom carbon fiber orthosis and intensive rehabilitation performance similarly.
