Energy expenditure and walking speed in lower limb amputees: a cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND Energy expenditure and walking speed are generally recommended for use as measures of status and outcome for walking. The objective of this study was to measure the physiological cost index (PCI) and comfort walking speed (CWS) at three levels of lower limb amputation: transfemoral, transtibial and Syme level, and the relationship of these physiological variables to prosthetic ambulation supported with walking aids and stump length. MATERIAL AND METHODS This study was a prospective cross-sectional study.Eighty-nine individuals with lower limb amputation for reasons other than peripheral vascular disease (PVD) were recruited among patients at the Department of Prosthetics and Orthotics in University Clinical Center of Kosovo. PCI was assessed by five minutes of continuous indoor walking at CWS. RESULTS Significant differences were found in PCI (F=29.87, P < 0.001) and CWS (F=19.33, P < 0.001) among the three amputation groups. Prosthetic ambulation supported with crutches showed an important impact on PCI (F=35.1, P < 0.001) and CWS (F=28.42, P < 0.001). Stump length was associated with significantly increased PCI (r=0.53, P = 0.02) and reduced CWS (r=0.58, P = 0.004) in transfemoral amputees. CONCLUSIONS 1. A higher level of amputation is associated with less energy-efficient walking and with lower walking speed. 2. Prosthetic ambulation supported with crutches has significant impact on increasing of energy expenditure and decreasing walking speed. 3. Stump length is shown to have a major impact on PCI and CWS in transfemoral amputees.