Effects of Microprocessor-controlled Knee Joints on Community Outcomes
Effects of Microprocessor-controlled Knee Joints on Community Outcomes
About 21% to 35% of people with limb loss are those who lost their limb at trans-femoral
 level (i.e. above the knee). The increasing number of diabetes-related limb loss (amputation)
 and the rising proportion of older adult amputees indicates more amputees with limited
 mobility in the future. Among other factors, prosthesis success highly depends on the
 function of the knee joints during daily activities.

 Presently, there are two categories of prosthetic knee joints; microprocessor-controlled
 knees (MPKs) and non-microprocessor-controlled knees (n-MPKs). Whilst the n-MPKs are unable
 to change the knee stiffness, the MPKs alter the joint stiffness and speed of movement
 according to the users' walking speed.

 Although past studies indicate that MPKs could result in reduced risk of falls, improved
 balance and activity in limited mobility amputees, there is a lack of strong evidence on the
 effect of MPKs on community outcomes. The aim of this study is to compare activity, mobility,
 social functioning, depression, anxiety, and health-related quality of life in limited
 mobility trans-femoral or through-knee (i.e. knee disarticulation) amputees who are users of
 MPKs prosthesis with users of a prosthesis with n-MPKs.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Unilateral transfemoral amputation or knee disarticulation

 -  ≤ K2 mobility grade OR SIGAM grade D or below; i.e. able to walk ≤ 50 meters on level
 ground,

 -  Users of either MPK or N-MPK for at least 6 months prior to the recruitment date.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Not meeting inclusion criteria