Nerrolyn Ramstrand

Incidence of Lower-Limb Amputation in the Diabetic and Nondiabetic General Population: A 10-year population-based cohort study of initial unilateral and contralateral amputations and reamputations

OBJECTIVE—The purpose of this study was to compare the incidence of vascular lower-limb amputation (LLA) in the diabetic and nondiabetic general population. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—A population-based cohort study was conducted in a representative Swedish region. All vascular LLAs (at or proximal to the transmetatarsal level) performed from 1997 through 2006 were consecutively registered and classified into initial unilateral amputation, contralateral amputation, or reamputation. The incidence rates were estimated in the diabetic and nondiabetic general population aged ≥45 years. RESULTS—During the 10-year period, LLA was performed on 62 women and 71 men with diabetes and on 79 women and 78 men without diabetes. The incidence of initial unilateral amputation per 100,000 person-years was 192 (95% CI 145–241) for diabetic women, 197 (152–244) for diabetic men, 22 (17–26) for nondiabetic women, and 24 (19–29) for nondiabetic men. The incidence increased from the age of 75 years. Of all amputations, 74% were transtibial. The incidences of contralateral amputation and of reamputation per 100 amputee-years in diabetic women amputees were 15 (7–27) and 16 (8–28), respectively; in diabetic men amputees 18 (10–29) and 21 (12–32); in nondiabetic women amputees 14 (7–24) and 18 (10–28); and in nondiabetic men amputees 13 (6–22) and 24 (15–35). CONCLUSIONS—In the general population aged ≥45 years, the incidence of vascular LLA at or proximal to the transmetatarsal level is eight times higher in diabetic than in nondiabetic individuals. One in four amputees may require contralateral amputation and/or reamputation.

Effects of an unstable shoe construction on balance in women aged over 50 years.

BACKGROUND Shoes with an unstable sole construction are commonly used as a therapeutic tool by physiotherapists and are widely available from shoe and sporting goods retailers. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of using an unstable shoe (Masai Barefoot Technology) on standing balance, reactive balance and stability limits. METHODS Thirty-one subjects agreed to participate in the study and underwent balance tests on three different occasions. After test occasion one (baseline) 20 subjects received Masai Barefoot Technology shoes and were requested to wear them as much as possible for the remaining eight weeks of the study. Three specific balance tests were administered on each test occasion using a Pro Balance Master (NeuroCom International Inc., Oregon, USA). Tests included; a modified sensory organization test, reactive balance test and limits of stability test. FINDINGS Subjects in the intervention group significantly improved their performance on elements of all three tests however results on these variables were not demonstrated to be significantly better than the control group. No significant differences were observed across testing occasions in the control group. INTERPRETATION Results from the present study suggest that, for this group of individuals, use of unstable footwear may improve certain aspects of balance.

Effects of an Unstable Shoe Construction on Standing Balance in Children with Developmental Disabilities: A Pilot Study

This study aimed to investigate if prolonged use of shoes incorporating an unstable sole construction could facilitate improvements of balance in a sample of developmentally disabled children. Ten children (six male and four female) aged between 10 and 17 years participated in the study. Children were fitted with shoes incorporating an unstable sole (Masai Barefoot Technology®) and instructed to wear them for a minimum of two hours per day for eight weeks. A within subjects repeated measures design was used. Children were tested prior to receiving the shoes, four weeks after receiving the shoes and eight weeks after receiving the shoes. A force plate capable of rotating about a single axis (NeuroCom International Inc, Oregon) was used to test static balance, reactive balance and directional control. Static balance was not found to be influenced by prolonged use of the footwear; however, significant improvements were noted in childrens reactive balance both with the shoes and barefoot. Results suggest that reactive balance can be improved by prolonged and regular use of shoes incorporating an unstable sole construction.

Can balance in children with cerebral palsy improve through use of an activity promoting computer game

INTRODUCTION This study aimed to evaluate if use of an activity promoting computer game, used in the home (Nintendo Wii Fit; Nintendo Co Ltd, Japan), could influence balance related outcome measures in children with cerebral palsy. METHOD Eighteen children with hemiplegic or diplegic cerebral palsy were recruited for the study. A randomised cross-over design was used with children tested at baseline, after five weeks of playing Wii Fit games and after five weeks without any intervention. Outcome measures of interest included: performance on the modified sensory organisation test, reactive balance test and rhythmic weight shift test. RESULTS No significant difference was observed between testing occasions for any of the balance measures investigated (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION Our results suggest that use of a Nintendo Wii balance board and Wii Fit software for a minimum of thirty minutes per day in the patients own home, over a five week period, is not effective as a balance training tool in children with cerebral palsy.

Considerations for developing an evidenced-based practice in orthotics and prosthetics

Evidence-based practice has become somewhat of a catchphrase over the past ten years. In this paper evidence-based practice is defined and its importance for the development of the prosthetics and orthotics profession is highlighted. The authors suggest that evidence-based practice needs to be prioritized within the profession and that a cultural change needs to be initiated which supports clinicians in incorporating research findings into their daily practice. In addition, the authors highlight the need for prosthetists/orthotists to become more active in generating research rather than relying on other professional groups to contribute to their professional body of knowledge.

A comparison of foot placement strategies of transtibial amputees and able-bodied subjects during stair ambulation

Ambulation on stairs presents a significant challenge for lower extremity amputees and increases the risk of falling and sustaining a serious injury. This study aimed to compare foot placement and foot clearance during stair ambulation in a group of transtibial amputees and a group of able-bodied subjects. Three-dimensional motion analysis was used to determine foot positioning and to calculate temporospatial parameters during stair ascent and descent of 10 transtibial amputees (mean age = 56) and a control group consisting of 10 healthy able-bodied individuals (mean age = 26.7). No significant difference was observed in foot positioning and foot clearance between the amputee and control groups. Temporospatial data revealed a number of significant differences between the groups, particularly during stair ascent. Amputees were observed to walk with a slower velocity and cadence (p < 0.01), to increase the time spent in stance phase and double support (p < 0.01) and to increase their step width during both stair ascent and descent (p < 0.01). Results suggest that foot placement and clearance are not factors that would contribute to a stumble or fall on stairs in established amputees but that balance related issues, such as relative motion of the centre of mass, require further investigation.

Can vibratory feedback be used to improve postural stability in persons with transtibial limb loss

The use of vibration as a feedback modality to convey motion of the body has been shown to improve measures of postural stability in some groups of patients. Because individuals using transtibial prostheses lack sensation distal to the amputation, vibratory feedback could possibly be used to improve their postural stability. The current investigation provided transtibial prosthesis users (n = 24, mean age 48 yr) with vibratory feedback proportional to the signal received from force transducers located under the prosthetic foot. Postural stability was evaluated by measuring center of pressure (CoP) movement, limits of stability, and rhythmic weight shift while participants stood on a force platform capable of rotations in the pitch plane (toes up/toes down). The results showed that the vibratory feedback increased the mediolateral displacement amplitude of CoP in standing balance and reduced the response time to rapid voluntary movements of the center of gravity. The results suggest that the use of vibratory feedback in an experimental setting leads to improvements in fast open-loop mechanisms of postural control in transtibial prosthesis users.

Outcomes of a standardized surgical and rehabilitation program in transtibial amputation for peripheral vascular disease : a prospective cohort study

Johannesson A, Larsson G-U, Ramstrand N, Lauge-Pedersen H, Wagner P, Atroshi I: Outcomes of a standardized surgical and rehabilitation program in transtibial amputation for peripheral vascular disease: A prospective cohort study. Objective:To study the outcomes of a new surgical and rehabilitation program for initial unilateral transtibial amputation in patients with peripheral vascular disease. The program consists of sagittal incision, rigid dressing, compression therapy using silicone liner, and direct manufacturing prosthetic technique. Design:A prospective cohort study with 1-yr follow-up. Results:Of the 217 consecutive patients with peripheral vascular disease who underwent transtibial amputation (mean age, 77 yrs; 51% diabetic; 116 could walk before amputation), 119 (55%) were fitted with a prosthesis at a median time of 41 (range, 12–147) days after amputation. Of the prosthetic recipients, 76 (64%) obtained good function with the prosthesis within 6 mos. Within 1 yr, reamputation was performed on 8.2%, and contralateral amputation was performed on 5.5%. The 90-day mortality was 24% (53 patients). The total 1-yr mortality was 40% (86 patients): 17% among patients who received a prosthesis and 67% among those who did not receive a prosthesis or had undergone reamputation. Conclusions:Following this standardized surgical and rehabilitation program, prosthetic fitting was achieved in more than half of transtibial amputees, almost two-thirds of prosthetic recipients obtained good function, and the reamputation rate was low. Comparison with outcomes of alternative strategies is needed.

Motion-analysis studies of transtibial prosthesis users: a systematic review.

Background: Three-dimensional motion analysis has been used since the beginning of the 1980s to evaluate many aspects of physical function of transtibial amputees. Despite its common use for clinical research, there is large variability in methods of capturing three-dimensional data, description of these methods, reporting of joint kinematics and interpretation of research findings. Objectives: The aim of the following review is to critically examine the specific methodologies used by researchers when collecting three-dimensional kinematic data on transtibial amputees and to provide an overview of the methods used. Study design: Systematic review. Methods: A systematic review of the literature between January 1984 and June 2009 was conducted. A total of 68 papers were identified for review based on the following criteria: experimental research design, collection of three-dimensional kinematic data of lower-extremity joints, and inclusion of transtibial amputees as experimental subjects. Results: A number of methodological shortcomings were identified in the papers reviewed. Conclusions: The authors recommend that future studies more appropriately address the product name and number of prosthetic components used; how the position of reflective markers on the prosthesis is defined; presentation of data from both sound and affected sides; and definition of the neutral position of the ankle when reporting kinematic data. Where possible, the authors recommend use of a control group. Clinical relevance This paper has identified numerous sources of discrepancy and potential error in kinematic data collected on trans-tibial amputees. Clinicians and researchers should make themselves aware of these issues when collecting and interpreting gait data.

Aaop State-of-the-science Evidence Report: The Effect of Ankle-foot Orthoses on Balance—a Systematic Review

Ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) are typically designed to limit the motion of the ankle joint in one or more planes. Given that balance may be compromised when joint range of motion is restricted, an understanding of the relative effects of AFOs on balance performance is clinically relevant. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate existing evidence related to the effects of AFOs on static and dynamic balance. A search of appropriate medical databases was conducted, and 37 articles were found to satisfy predetermined inclusion criteria. Articles were categorized under two main areas: those investigating the use of AFOs designed for sporting applications (sports orthoses, 18 studies) and those investigating orthoses that are intended to facilitate ambulation in subjects with locomotor disorders (ambulatory orthoses, 19 studies). Combined results suggest that sports orthoses may facilitate certain aspects of balance in subjects with ankle instability and that balance is unlikely to be compromised when able-bodied subjects wear AFOs as a prophylactic measure. No evidence exists to suggest that any one design of sports orthosis is superior to another in terms of performance on balance measures. Results of studies involving ambulatory orthoses indicated that their effects on balance were largely dependent on the design characteristics of the orthosis used. Rigid AFOs seemed to facilitate static balance tasks, although the level of confidence in this outcome was relatively low. Under dynamic conditions, rigid AFOs seemed to compromise balance for the tested populations; confidence in this outcome was rated as moderate. A high level of confidence was ascribed to the statement that leaf spring AFOs, which allow controlled motion in the sagittal plane, seemed to facilitate both static and dynamic balance in the studied cohorts.