Prosthetic rehabilitation

Original Editor - Abby Cain as part of the WCPT Network for Amputee Rehabilitation Project

Top Contributors - Tarina van der Stockt, Kim Jackson, Sheik Abdul Khadir, Admin, Tony Lowe, Osama Faisal, Rucha Gadgil, Naomi O'Reilly, Simisola Ajeyalemi and Amrita Patro  

Introduction

The aim of the rehabilitation is to aid the amputee to gain independence at the highest level they can, with the most efficient gait possible. The assessment must take into account the physical capabilities, level of amputation, psychological status, pre-amputation function, existing medical conditions and the patient’s expectations. Rehabilitation should begin 5 days post surgery .  A crucial element of constructing a rehabilitation programme is sound gait analysis. This will largely be observational. Validated outcome measures are available to aid goal setting and measure function. Gait analysis consists of observation of the gait, which should occur from all angles. Knowledge of normal gait patterns for the prosthetic and non prosthetic user is required to help analysis of movement. On observation of the gait the assessor compares the function of the amputee to expected patterns of gait and look for deviations. Analysis of the gait pattern will help determine why these deviations are occurring. This will then help to formulate the rehabilitation programme, which includes correction of the deviations. Outcomes measures can be used to monitor progress.

Amputees should perform pre-prosthetic exercises to help maintain ROM and improve muscle strength in the lower limb and residual limb in preparation for using the prosthetic limb. Abdominal and back exercises should also be considered to help trunk control and reduce back pain. Pre-prosthetic limb exercises can help prevent occurrence of prosthetic gait deviations

Due to the loss of the limb the amputee will automatically shift their centre of gravity over the foot of the non-prosthetic side. After an amputation there will be a period of time where the amputee is without a prosthesis. This is due to the timeframe of the assessments required to decide if the provision of a limb is appropriate. During this period the amputee will become familiar with the shifted centre which will increase the difficulty of reorientation of the centre of gravity once they receive a prosthetic limb.

Orientation of Centre of Gravity and Weight Bearing on the Prosthesis

Prosthetic training should include orientation of centre of gravity and improve weight bearing on the prosthetic side. There are a number of technique/exercises which can be employed to facilitate the rehabilitation of this;

Lateral weight shifting

Stand between parallel bars with two handed support. The amputee practices shifting the weight from the non-prosthetic limb to the prosthetic side. This an be performed with pelvis only initially and progress to full body movement when the amputee becomes more confident. A pair of scales under the feet can help to determine the weight transference. Two handed support can be reduced to one handed (alternating hands to thee contralateral side of the weight shift) and fingertip support, for progression.

Forward and back weight shifting

Weight transference can be practiced forwards and backwards to help balance and orientation. The exercise is performed as for lateral weight shifting but the body weight is moved forwards and back. This can begin with pelvic movements only to build confidence and progress to entire body weight. Reduced hand support will be a progression of this exercise. 

High stepping

Single leg stance on the prosthetic side can be improved by high stepping with the non-prosthetic side. With 2 handed support, the amputee steps the non-prosthetic limb onto a stool of approx. 4-8 inches. This exercise can be progressed by increasing the height of the step and/or reducing the hand support required. As the amputee becomes more confident and weight bearing improves the step of the non-prosthetic limb will be slower and more controlled.

Balance board

A balance board can be used to help weight bearing and balance where they shift body weight forward and back and laterally bewteen the prosthetic and non-prosthetic side. This can be performed between parallel bars with 2 handed support.

Throwing and catching

Stood between parallel bars or with supervision, as required the amputee performs throwing and catching with the therapist. This encourages the amputee to adjust their weight bearing as they reach outside their base of support over the prosthetic and non-prosthetic limb. This exercise can be progressed by the non-prosthetic limb being placed on a step or balance cushion.

Obstacle stepping

Between parallel bars or with supervision, the action of stepping over obstacles leading with the non-prosthetic limb can help encourage weight bearing on the prosthesis.

Football

With or without hand support, standing on the prosthetic side, the amputee kicks a ball with the non-prosthetic leg to promote weight shift onto the prosthesis.

Braiding

The amputee stands with 2 handed support and swings one leg across the front of the body and then behind. This is performed with both the prosthetic and non-prosthetic side. To advance this exercise the amputee performs this action with more speed meaning they must adjust their weight bearing and balance to compensate for the speed of the movement.

Single leg standing

Practice balancing on the prosthetic limb will help improve balance on that side. This can be performed with varying levels of hand support.

Gait Re-Education

Specific gait re-education and facilitation is important during rehabilitation in order to ensure the correct biomechanics of gait are achieved. Recommendations are that gait re-education commences between parallel bars.

Pneumatic post Amputation Mobility Aid (PPAM Aid)

This is an aid that can be used to encourage early mobilisation before the amputee has a prosthetic limb. It can be used from 5 days post op providing there are no complications with the wound. Trial inflations should occur until the patient is able to tolerate the sleeve. The sleeve should be applied and slowly inflated from 5 minutes to a maximum of 2 hours twice daily. The maximum pressure of inflation which should not exceed 40 mm Hg. The sleeve can be placed over soft dressings, plaster cast or bandaging. The wound should be checked before and after using the PPAM aid. The PPAM aid is designed as a short term mobility aid, for partial weight bearing and is not a substitute for a long term prosthetic limb.

Specific Gait re-education

The gait cycle can be broken down and each segment practiced with the amputee. With 2 handed support begin with heel strike of the non-prosthetic limb while weight bearing on the prosthetic side, encouraging correct foot placement. This is then practiced with the opposite leg. Step by step progression of the gait should commence once heel strike is achieved. Forward weight transference onto and off the prosthetic limb to allow floor contact of the prosthetic foot and weight acceptance, without the swing through of the opposite leg, is the next step. This again is practised with both sides. Once this is satisfactory, swing through of the opposite leg can be practised when the leading foot/prosthesis is in stance. This process is followed with each step to help encourage a rhythmical, reciprocal gait pattern with appropriate weight shift. Regular proprioceptive facilitation to aid correct pelvic and trunk movements and help facilitate weight transference along with verbal feedback is used to reinforce correct movement.

Walking aids

Rehabilitation should begin between parallel bars. However once the amputee becomes confident and a good gait pattern is achieved walking aids should be introduced to aid progression of mobility and to encourage mobility in the amputee home environment. Aids should be provided to promote the maximum level of independence and encourage the amputee to be as full weight bearing as possible. The patient’s pre-amputation level of function, current abilities, level of progression, overall health and medical status should be considered when selecting and progressing walking aids.

Sidestepping

This can be performed at any stage in the rehabilitation programme. The aim is to encourage lateral weight shifting and strengthen the abductors, The exercise can be performed with 2 hand support in the parallel bars and progress by the amputee moving around furniture/obstacles as a patient would in their own environment.

Backward walking

This activity is more difficult for transfemoral amputees than transtibial due to the lack of knee flexion of the prosthesis. However with practise the transfemoral amputee can perform this action with confidence. They will commonly need to plantarflex the ankle, come onto the toes, of on the non-prosthetic limb as they bring the prosthetic limb back.

Multidirectional changes

This will help improve prosthetic control and balance. Often changes in direction will prove difficult for amputees and practice will help improve mobility in more challenging environments such as crowded public places.

Tandem walking

This can help improve co-ordination, foot placement and weight bearing. A strip is placed on the floor. The exercise can be progressed through 3 stages 1) Foot placement on each side of the line 2) Foot placement heel toe along the line 3) Foot placement crossing over onto opposite sides of the line- for the more advanced amputee.

Functional tasks

In addition to specific weight bearing and gait training, prosthetic rehabilitation should also include practice of more functional tasks of daily living. These should be centred on the patient’s individual goals.

Stairs

The technique for performing stairs is the same for above and below knee amputees. Leading with the non-prosthetic limb ascending the stairs and descending with the prosthetic limb first. This can be progressed from 2 handed to non handed support, dependent on the ability of the amputee. Walking aids can also be used to help amputees manage stairs..

Slopes/hills

Walking up and down slopes can be difficult for amputee patients. Often forward trunk flexion is required and shorted stride lengths. Some amputees will find it easiest ascending and descending slopes through side stepping. Aids and rails can aid with slopes. The same techniques in terms of stepping are applied to slopes as it is for stairs.

Curb

The limb sequence applied to walking up and down stairs can be adopted for curbs. Walking aids are useful for assisting with curbs, however more advanced amputee will manage without. Balance and good single limb support is necessary for this. For the more advanced transtibial amputee the prosthetic limb can also be used to ascend curb and control descent.

Weight carrying

Practise walking with a weight on the prosthetic side or with objects in the hand. This may require a walking aid dependent on the patient’s ability.

Uneven surfaces

Walking over various terrains helps improve awareness and proprioception. It encourages the amputee to make use of their vision to compensate for the reduced proprioception on the prosthetic side.

Running

For advanced amputee running can be incorporated in to the rehabilitation programme and can help amputees to increase participation in recreational activities.

Resources

Exercises for Prosthetic Rehabilitation (ICRC)

Amputee Exercises (ICRC)

References

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