Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Transfemoral Amputations: Is There an Effect of Residual Limb Length and Orientation on Energy Expenditure?

  • Symposium: Recent Advances in Amputation Surgery and Rehabilitation
  • Published:
Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research®

Abstract

Background

Energy cost of ambulation has been evaluated using a variety of measures. With aberrant motions resulting from compensatory strategies, persons with transfemoral amputations generally exhibit a larger center of mass excursion and an increased energy cost. However, few studies have analyzed the effect of residual femur length and orientation or energy cost of ambulation.

Questions/purposes

The purpose of this study was to compare residual limb length and orientation with energy efficiency in patients with transfemoral amputation. We hypothesized that patients with shorter residual limbs and/or more abnormal residual femur alignment would have higher energy expenditure cost and greater center of mass movement than those with longer residual limbs resulting from lacking musculature, shorter and/or misoriented lever arms, and greater effort required to ambulate through use of compensatory movements.

Methods

Twenty-six adults with acute, trauma-related unilateral transfemoral amputations underwent gait and metabolic analysis testing. Patients were separated into groups for analysis based on residual limb length and residual femoral angle.

Results

Cohorts with longer residual limbs walked faster than those with shorter residual limbs (self-selected walking velocity 1.28 m/s versus 1.11 m/s, measured effect size = 1.08; 95% confidence interval = short 1.10–1.12, long 1.26–1.30; p = 0.04). However, there were no differences found with the numbers available between the compared cohorts regardless of limb length or orientation in regard to O2 cost or other metabolic variables, including the center of mass motion.

Conclusions

Those with longer residual limbs after transfemoral amputation chose a faster self-selected walking velocity, mirroring previous studies; however, metabolic energy and center of mass metrics did not demonstrate a difference in determining whether energy expenditure is affected by length or orientation of the residual limb after transfemoral amputation. These factors may therefore have less effect on transfemoral amputee gait efficiency and energy requirements than previously thought.

Level of Evidence

Level II, prognostic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Aleshinsky SY. An energy ‘sources’ and ‘fractions’ approach to the mechanical energy expenditure problem–II. Movement of the multi-link chain model. J Biomech. 1986;19:295–300.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Baum BS, Schnall BL, Tis JE, Lipton JS. Correlation of residual limb length and gait parameters in amputees. Injury. 2008;39:728–733.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Bell JC, Wolf EJ, Schnall BL, Tis JE, Tis LL, Benjamin KPM. Transfemoral amputations: the effect of residual limb length and orientation on gait analysis outcome measures. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2013;95:408–414.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Bellmann M, Schmalz T, Blumentritt S. Comparative biomechanical analysis of current microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knee joints. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2010;91:644–652.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Blanc CH, Borens O. Amputations of the lower limb–an overview on technical aspects. Acta Chir Belg. 2004;104:388–392.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. British Standards Institution. BS 7313 P3:1993 Prosthetics and Orthotics Part 3: Method of Describing Lower Limb Amputation Stumps; ISO 8548-2. London, UK: BSI Group; 1993:1–24.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Buckley JG, Spence WD, Solomonidis SE. Energy cost of walking: comparison of ‘intelligent prosthesis’ with conventional mechanism. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1997;78:330–333.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Burdett RG, Skrinar GS, Simon SR. Comparison of mechanical work and metabolic energy consumption during normal gait. J Orthop Res. 1983;1:63–72.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Cavagna GA, Kaneko M. Mechanical work and efficiency in level walking and running. J Physiol. 1977;268:467–481.

    PubMed  CAS  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  10. Cavagna GA, Saibene FP, Margaria R. External work in walking. J Appl Physiol. 1963;18:1–9.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Czerniecki JM, Gitter A, Weaver K. Effect of alterations in prosthetic shank mass on the metabolic costs of ambulation in above-knee amputees. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 1994;73:348–352.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Detrembleur C, Vanmarsenille JM, De Cuyper F, Dierick F. Relationship between energy cost, gait speed, vertical displacement of centre of body mass and efficiency of pendulum-like mechanism in unilateral amputee gait. Gait Posture. 2005;21:333–340.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Donelan JM, Kram R, Kuo AD. Simultaneous positive and negative external mechanical work in human walking. J Biomech. 2002;35:117–124.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Genin JJ, Bastien GJ, Franck B, Detrembleur C, Willems PA. Effect of speed on the energy cost of walking in unilateral traumatic lower limb amputees. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2008;103:655–663.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Gitter A, Czerniecki J, Meinders M. Effect of prosthetic mass on swing phase work during above-knee amputee ambulation. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 1997;76:114–121.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Gitter A, Czerniecki J, Weaver K. A reassessment of center-of-mass dynamics as a determinate of the metabolic inefficiency of above-knee amputee ambulation. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 1995;74:332–338.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Goktepe AS, Cakir B, Yilmaz B, Yazicioglu K. Energy expenditure of walking with prostheses: comparison of three amputation levels. Prosthet Orthot Int. 2010;34:31–36.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Gordon KE, Ferris DP, Kuo AD. Metabolic and mechanical energy costs of reducing vertical center of mass movement during gait. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2009;90:136–144.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Gottschalk F. Transfemoral amputation. Biomechanics and surgery. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1999;361:15–22.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Gottschalk F. Transfemoral amputation: surgical management. In: Smith DG, Michael JW, Bowker JH, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, eds. Atlas of Amputations and Limb Deficiencies: Surgical, Prosthetic, and Rehabilitation Principles. 3rd ed. Rosemont, IL, USA: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; 2004:533–540.

  21. Gottschalk FA, Stills M. The biomechanics of trans-femoral amputation. Prosthet Orthot Int. 1994;18:12–17.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Goujon-Pillet H, Sapin E, Fode P, Lavaste F. Three-dimensional motions of trunk and pelvis during transfemoral amputee gait. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2008;89:87–94.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Hagberg K, Tranberg R, Zugner R, Danielsson A. Reproducibility of the physiological cost index among individuals with a lower-limb amputation and healthy adults. Physiother Res Int. 2011;16:92–100.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Hekmatfard M, Farahmand F, Ebrahimi I. Effects of prosthetic mass distribution on the spatiotemporal characteristics and knee kinematics of transfemoral amputee locomotion. Gait Posture. 2013;37:78–81.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Huston C, Dillingham T, Esquenazi A. Rehabilitation of the lower extremity amputee. In: Textbook of Military Medicine, ed. Part IV. Surgical Combat Casualty Care: Rehabilitation of the Injured Combatant. Vol 1. Washington, DC, USA: Office of the Surgeon General at TMM Publications; 1998:79–159.

  26. Jaegers SM, Arendzen JH, de Jongh HJ. Changes in hip muscles after above-knee amputation. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1995;319:276–284.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Jaegers SM, Arendzen JH, de Jongh HJ. Prosthetic gait of unilateral transfemoral amputees: a kinematic study. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1995;76:736–743.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Jaegers SM, Arendzen JH, de Jongh HJ. An electromyographic study of the hip muscles of transfemoral amputees in walking. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1996;328:119–128.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Kaufman KR, Levine JA, Brey RH, McCrady SK, Padgett DJ, Joyner MJ. Energy expenditure and activity of transfemoral amputees using mechanical and microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knees. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2008;89:1380–1385.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  30. Lehmann JF, Price R, Okumura R, Questad K, de Lateur BJ, Negretot A. Mass and mass distribution of below-knee prostheses: effect on gait efficacy and self-selected walking speed. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1998;79:162–168.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Maaref K, Martinet N, Grumillier C, Ghannouchi S, Andre JM, Paysant J. Kinematics in the terminal swing phase of unilateral transfemoral amputees: microprocessor-controlled versus swing-phase control prosthetic knees. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2010;91:919–925.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Massaad F, Lejeune TM, Detrembleur C. The up and down bobbing of human walking: a compromise between muscle work and efficiency. J Physiol. 2007;582:789–799.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  33. Mullick S. Lower limb amputation: striking the balance. Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 1994;76:420–421.

    PubMed  CAS  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  34. Nowroozi F, Salvanelli ML, Gerber LH. Energy expenditure in hip disarticulation and hemipelvectomy amputees. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1983;64:300–303.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Pickard-Gabriel CJ, Ledford CL, Gajewski DA, Granville RR, Andersen RC. Traumatic transfemoral amputation with concomitant ipsilateral proximal femoral fracture. A report of two cases. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2007;89:2764–2768.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Pinzur MS, Bowker JH. Knee disarticulation. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1999;361:23–28.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Pinzur MS, Gold J, Schwartz D, Gross N. Energy demands for walking in dysvascular amputees as related to the level of amputation. Orthopedics. 1992;15:1033–1036; discussion 1036-1037.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Portney LG, Watkins MP. Foundations of Clinical Research: Applications to Practice. 2nd ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ, USA: Prentice Hall; 2000.

    Google Scholar 

  39. Saunders JB, Inman VT, Eberhart HD. The major determinants in normal and pathological gait. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1953;35:543–558.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Schmalz T, Blumentritt S, Jarasch R. Energy expenditure and biomechanical characteristics of lower limb amputee gait: the influence of prosthetic alignment and different prosthetic components. Gait Posture. 2002;16:255–263.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Seymour R, Engbretson B, Kott K, Ordway N, Brooks G, Crannell J, Hickernell E, Wheeler K. Comparison between the C-leg microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knee and non-microprocessor control prosthetic knees: a preliminary study of energy expenditure, obstacle course performance, and quality of life survey. Prosthet Orthot Int. 2007;31:51–61.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Shawen SB, Doukas WC, Shrout JA, Ficke JR, Potter BK, Hayda RA, Keeling JJ, Granville RR, Smith DG. General surgical principles for the combat casualty with limb loss. Care of the Combat Amputee. Washington, DC, USA: Office of the Surgeon General at TMM Publications Borden Institute; 2009:117–152.

  43. Sjodahl C, Jarnlo GB, Soderberg B, Persson BM. Pelvic motion in trans-femoral amputees in the frontal and transverse plane before and after special gait re-education. Prosthet Orthot Int. 2003;27:227–237.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Traballesi M, Porcacchia P, Averna T, Brunelli S. Energy cost of walking measurements in subjects with lower limb amputations: a comparison study between floor and treadmill test. Gait Posture. 2008;27:70–75.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Waters RL, Lunsford BR, Perry J, Byrd R. Energy-speed relationship of walking: standard tables. J Orthop Res. 1988;6:215–222.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Waters RL, Mulroy S. The energy expenditure of normal and pathologic gait. Gait Posture. 1999;9:207–231.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Waters RL, Perry J, Antonelli D, Hislop H. Energy cost of walking of amputees: the influence of level of amputation. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1976;58:42–46.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Willems PA, Cavagna GA, Heglund NC. External, internal and total work in human locomotion. J Exp Biol. 1995;198:379–393.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Winter DA. A new definition of mechanical work done in human movement. J Appl Physiol. 1979;46:79–83.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Winter DA, Robertson DG. Joint torque and energy patterns in normal gait. Biol Cybern. 1978;29:137–142.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Zajac FE, Neptune RR, Kautz SA. Biomechanics and muscle coordination of human walking. Part I: introduction to concepts, power transfer, dynamics and simulations. Gait Posture. 2002;16:215–232.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Performance & Clinical Research, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA

    Johanna C. Bell MSE, Erik J. Wolf PhD, Barri L. Schnall MPT & Benjamin K. Potter MD

  2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD, USA

    John E. Tis MD

  3. 1400 Spring Garden Street, Apartment 807, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, USA

    Johanna C. Bell MSE

Authors
  1. Johanna C. Bell MSE
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Erik J. Wolf PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Barri L. Schnall MPT
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. John E. Tis MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Benjamin K. Potter MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Johanna C. Bell MSE.

Additional information

The institution of one or more of the authors (EJW, BKP) has received, during the study period, grant funding from the USAMRMC Military Amputee Research Program.

All ICMJE Conflict of Interest Forms for authors and Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research ® editors and board members are on file with the publication and can be viewed on request.

Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research ® neither advocates nor endorses the use of any treatment, drug, or device. Readers are encouraged to always seek additional information, including FDA-approval status, of any drug or device prior to clinical use.

Each author certifies that his or her institution approved the human protocol for this investigation, that all investigations were conducted in conformity with ethical principles of research, and that informed consent for participation in the study was obtained.

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Bell, J.C., Wolf, E.J., Schnall, B.L. et al. Transfemoral Amputations: Is There an Effect of Residual Limb Length and Orientation on Energy Expenditure?. Clin Orthop Relat Res 472, 3055–3061 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11999-014-3630-x

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11999-014-3630-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation