In a study published in the journal of International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics, researchers, including Professor Munjed Al Muderis, set out to examine the differences in mobility and balance among individuals with transfemoral amputations (TFAs) who were fitted with two different types of prosthetics: the Bone Anchored Prosthesis (BAP) using osseointegration, and the Socket Prosthesis (SP). The study aimed to provide insights into the effectiveness of these prosthetic options for individuals with TFAs.
The research team recruited two groups of individuals with TFAs, consisting of 11 participants. One group used the osseointegrated BAP, while the other group used the Socket Prosthesis. The participants completed a battery of tests to record the patient’s health status using Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs). The participants also completed walking tests and surveys to assess their balance and mobility.
The study results, titled ‘Comparison of prosthetic mobility and balance in transfemoral amputees with bone-anchored prosthesis vs. socket prosthesis’ indicated no statistically significant differences between the BAP and SP groups regarding gait, balance, and mobility. This implies that individuals with osseointegration demonstrate comparable self-perceived balance confidence and prosthetic mobility to those using socket prostheses.
Prof. Munjed Al Muderis, who is part of the research team, said, “These findings have significant implications for individuals with TFA who cannot wear or experience limitations with socket prostheses. Osseointegration may help patients with socket prostheses to improve their mobility, gait, and quality of life. Osseointegration can be a viable alternative option for this population”.
The researchers acknowledge that further investigation is required to validate these findings. They emphasise the importance of future research with larger sample sizes and additional performance-based outcome measures and PROMs to comprehensively understand the differences between various prosthetic options for individuals with TFA.
This study represents a significant step forward in prosthetics and can potentially improve the quality of life for individuals with TFA. Shedding light on the advantages and limitations of different prosthetic options opens new possibilities for personalised and effective rehabilitation strategies.
The research can be accessed here: https://journals.lww.com/poijournal/Citation/2023/04000/Comparison_of_prosthetic_mobility_and_balance_in.3.aspx
