Effect of transtibial prosthesis weight on the contralateral knee joint in relation to the risk of osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND: Individuals with transtibial amputation place more load on the contralateral lower extremity. A higher adduction moment at the knee joint has been shown to have an effect on the risk of osteoarthritis. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of weight-bearing of lower-limb prosthesis on the biomechanical parameters associated with the risk of contralateral knee osteoarthritis. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional. METHODS: The experimental group of 14 subjects with unilateral transtibial amputation (13 males). The mean age was 52.7 ± 14.2 years, height 175.6 ± 6.3 cm, weight 82.3 ± 12.5 kg, and duration of prosthesis use 16.5 ± 9.1 years. The control group consisted of 14 healthy subjects with identical anthropometric parameters. Dual emission X-ray absorptiometry was used to determine the weight of the amputated limb. For gait analysis, 10 Qualisys infrared cameras and a motion sensing system on 3 Kistler force platforms were used. Gait was analyzed with the original, lighter, commonly used prosthesis, as well as the prosthesis loaded to the original limb weight. RESULTS: The gait cycle and kinetic parameters of the amputated and healthy limbs were more similar to those of the control group when using the weighted prosthesis. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend further research to more accurately specify the weight of the lower-limb prosthesis with respect to the prosthesis design and duration of use of the heavier prosthesis during the day.