Microprocessor-Controlled Prostheses for a Bilateral Transtibial Amputee with Gait Analysis and Satisfaction: A 1-Year Followup Case Report

Abstract

Bilateral amputees are disadvantaged as they lack healthy leg support. We present the rare case of a bilateral transtibial amputee (BTA), in which we compared the first South Korean-made microprocessor-controlled prosthesis (MPA) to a conventional prosthetic ankle (CPA) with gait analysis and a patient questionnaire for long-term outcomes. A 70-year-old man presented with bilateral transtibial amputations from injury. Assessments were performed after wearing an MPA for 1 month and 1 year with three-dimensional gait analysis. Satisfaction, mobility, and pain were evaluated using the Korean version of the Prostheses Evaluation Questionnaire (K-PEQ). The spatiotemporal parameters of both sides showed increased stability from the CPA to 1 month (mMPA) and 1 year (yMPA). We observed an increased single support time, decreased step width, and almost normal stance-swing time ratio. In kinematic parameters, the ankle range of motion (ROM) was bilaterally increased at mMPA and yMPA. Unfortunately, the MPA gait showed insufficient ankle plantarflexion during the terminal stance that failed to generate push-up power. As the MPA adaptation time increased, the symmetry ratio improved to a balanced value. The questionnaire-based investigations of satisfaction, mobility, and pain revealed excellent results. The MPA proved helpful for ankle mobility in the BTA, and the questionnaire showed good satisfaction and mobility in varied terrain.