Can microprocessor knees reduce the disparity in trips and falls risks between above and below knee prosthesis users?

PLoS One. 2022 Sep 2;17(9):e0271315. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0271315. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

While all lower limb prosthesis walkers have a high risk of tripping and/or falling, above knee prosthesis users are reported to fall more frequently. Recognising this, engineers designed microprocessor knees (MPK) to help mitigate these risks, but to what extent these devices reduce this disparity between above and below knee users is unclear. A service review was carried out in a prosthetic limb centre regarding the frequency of trips and falls in the previous four weeks. Data from unilateral, community ambulators were extracted. Ordered logistic regressions were applied to investigate whether MPKs mitigated the increased risk of trips and falls for prosthetic knee users, compared to below knee prosthesis users. Socio-demographics (sex, age), prosthesis (prosthesis type, years of use), health (comorbidities, vision, contralateral limb status, medication), and physical function (use of additional walking aids, activity level) were included as covariates. Of the 315 participants in the analysis, 57.5% reported tripping and 20.3% reported falling. Non-microprocessor prosthetic knee (non-MPK) users were shown to trip significantly more than below knee prosthesis users (OR = 1.96, 95% CI = 1.17-3.28). Other covariates showing a significant association included contralateral limb injuries (OR = 1.91, 95% CI = 1.15-3.18) and using an additional walking aid (OR = 1.99, 95% CI = 1.13-3.50). Non-MPK users were also shown to fall significantly more than below knee prosthesis users (OR = 3.34, 95% CI = 1.73-6.45), with no other covariates showing a significant association. MPK users did not show an increased frequency of trips (OR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.33-1.64) or falls (OR = 0.34, 95% CI = 0.18-2.62), compared to below knee prosthesis users. Of those who tripped at least once in the previous four weeks, those using a non-MPK (OR = 2.73, 95% CI = 1.30-5.74) presented an increased frequency of falling. These findings provide evidence to suggest that the use of MPKs reduces the difference in falls risk between above knee and below knee prosthesis users, providing justification for their provision.

MeSH terms

  • Accidental Falls / prevention & control
  • Amputees*
  • Artificial Limbs*
  • Humans
  • Knee Prosthesis*
  • Microcomputers
  • Prosthesis Design
  • Walking

Grants and funding

The author(s) received no specific funding for this work. This work was performed as a service review. Blatchford Clinical Services are contracted to run the Mobility & Specialised Rehabilitation Centre at Sheffield’s Northern General Hospital, where KCD, ZS, JM and AS are employed. MM and SZ employees of Blatchford Ltd. BR was an employee of Blatchford Ltd. at the time of her contribution to the current work. Otherwise, this work received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.