Gait recovery pattern of unilateral lower limb amputees during rehabilitation

The aim of this study was to determine the rate at which gait recovery as measured by temporal distance factors (velocity and symmetry) occurs in unilateral lower limb amputees. A microcomputer footswitch system was used to record the gait patterns of twenty subjects, mean age 65.1 years. The initial measurement was taken when the subject was capable of walking 6 meters with an interim prosthesis within the parallel bars. The patient sample as a whole was analyzed and subjects were further divided into four groups, depending on ambulatory aid required at discharge. Group A, n = 3 used no aid, Group B, n = 5 used a single stick, Group C, n = 6 used 2 single sticks and Group D, n = 5 required frames. A one way analysis of variance (F = 4.55, p = 0.02) showed a significant difference between the Groups, (A and D, B and D, C and D). The major velocity increase occurs within the first 30 days of the gait training programme. Overall about 55% increase in velocity can be expected within the first fifteen day period followed by an additional 30% between days 15-30. A moderately strong correlation (r = 0.78) was found between initial and discharge velocity. The correlation between initial and discharge symmetry was weaker (r = 0.50).