Functional Walking Speed in Transtibial Prosthesis Users: Insights from Prosthesis Use Duration
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background: Amputation of a lower limb has a detrimental effect on one's quality of life, psychological health, and physical health. Reduced physical capacity is one of the effects that contributes to physical health. As a result, the experience of using a prosthesis is essential for enhancing functional capacities to adjust to the social, professional, and family environments. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the length of prosthesis use and walking speed in transtibial prosthesis users.
Methods: This study used a cross-sectional analytical observational design. A two-minute walk test was used to measure walking speed, and an observation sheet was used to assess usage duration. Purposive sampling was employed to recruit a total of 15 participants, and hypothesis testing was conducted using Spearman’s rank correlation.
Results: The results showed that there was no significant correlation between walking speed and the duration of prosthesis use among transtibial prosthesis users (r = −0.314, p = 0.255).
Conclusion: This study found no statistically significant relationship between the duration of prosthesis use and walking speed among transtibial prosthesis users. Walking speed is likely influenced by multiple factors, including age, stump length, muscle strength, and prosthesis condition. Therefore, rehabilitation strategies should adopt a comprehensive and individualized approach rather than relying solely on the duration of prosthesis use.
Article Details
How to Cite
References
Alluhydan, K., Siddiqui, M., & Elkanani, H. (2023). Functionality and comfort design of lower-limb prosthetics: A review. Journal of Disability Research, 2. https://doi.org/10.57197/JDR-2023-0031
Bosman, C. E., van der Sluis, C. K., Geertzen, J. H. B., Kerver, N., & Vrieling, A. H. (2023). User-relevant factors influencing the prosthesis use of persons with a transfemoral amputation or knee-disarticulation: A meta-synthesis of qualitative literature and focus group results. PLoS ONE, 18(1 January), 1–25. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0276874
Butoya, P., Rukundo, J. de D., Gatsinzi, J. M., Ngulube, D. J., Kemigisha, J., Izere, D., Mbonyinshuti, I., & Assuman, N. (2025). Satisfaction with prosthesis and walking ability among trans-tibial prosthesis users from two selected rehabilitation hospitals in Rwanda. Rwanda Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 8(1), 75–88. https://doi.org/10.4314/rjmhs.v8i1.6
Dahlan, M. S. (2020). Statistik untuk kedokteran dan kesehatan: Deskriptif, bivariat, dan multivariat dilengkapi aplikasi dengan menggunakan SPSS. Salemba Medika.
DeGrasse, N. S., Mertens, J. C., Brzostowski, J. T., Allyn, K. J., Vamos, A. C., Krout, A. J., Hafner, B. J., Garbini, J. L., & Sanders, J. E. (2023). Beyond step counts: Including wear time in prosthesis use assessment for lower-limb amputation. Journal of Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies Engineering, 10, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1177/20556683231163337
Hagberg, K., Zügner, R., Thomsen, P., & Tranberg, R. (2023). Daily activity of individuals with an amputation above the knee as recorded from the nonamputated limb and the prosthetic limb. Journal for the Measurement of Physical Behaviour, 6(3), 223–232. https://doi.org/10.1123/jmpb.2022-0053
Hashimoto, H., Kobayashi, T., Kataoka, M., & Okuda, K. (2021). Influence of coronal and sagittal prosthetic foot alignment on socket reaction moments in transtibial prostheses during walking. Gait & Posture, 90, 252–260. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2021.08.011
Ibarra Aguila, S., Sánchez, G. J., Sauvain, E. E., Alemon, B., Fuentes-Aguilar, R. Q., & Huegel, J. C. (2020). Interface pressure system to compare the functional performance of prosthetic sockets during the gait in people with trans-tibial amputation. Sensors (Basel, Switzerland), 20(24). https://doi.org/10.3390/s20247043
Kim, J., Yi, H., Hwang, D., Jung, J., Lee, H. J., Cho, J. H., Bok, S.-K., & Lee, Y. (2025). Prolonged adaptation to a robotic prosthesis enhances gait symmetry: A case study in a transtibial amputee. Annals of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, 68(5), 101981. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rehab.2025.101981
Kooiman, V., Haket, L., Verdonschot, N., Leijendekkers, R., & Weerdesteyn, V. (2023). Oxygen consumption and gait dynamics in transfemoral bone-anchored prosthesis users compared to socket-prosthesis users: A cross-sectional study. Gait and Posture, 103, 12–18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2023.04.008
Mahulkar, S. S., Telang, P. A., & Arora, S. P. (2022). Rehabilitation of a patient after a transtibial amputation: A case report. Cureus, 14(10), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.30773
Ortega Bedoya, Y., Mejía Londoño, V., Rendón Vélez, E., Valencia Legarda, F., & Plata-Contreras, J. A. (2023). Mobility and postural limitations perceived by transtibial amputees undertaking agricultural activities: A qualitative study. Annals of Medicine, 55(2), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/07853890.2023.2258915
Otadi, K., & Malmir, K. (2026). Normative reference values for the six-minute walk test in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 140, 106026. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2025.106026
Paruchuri, H., Williams, K., & Oroszi, T. (2025). The inheritance, pathophysiology, and treatment for polycystic kidney disease and its effects on the heart — a literature review. International Journal of Clinical Medicine, 16(1), 95–111. https://doi.org/10.4236/ijcm.2025.161006
Sawers, A., & Fatone, S. (2025). The relationship of hip strength and balance performance in unilateral lower limb prosthesis users differs by amputation level. PM & R: The Journal of Injury, Function, and Rehabilitation, 17(2), 147–158. https://doi.org/10.1002/pmrj.13245
Seethapathi, N., Jain2, A. K., & Srinivasan, M. (2024). Walking speeds are lower for short distance and turning locomotion: Experiments and modeling in low-cost prosthesis users. PLoS ONE, 19(1 January), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0295993
Ss, N., Naing, L., Fi, I., Chb, M. B., & Pande, K. (2020). What is the quality of life of transtibial amputees in Brunei Darussalam? Malaysian Orthopaedic Journal, 14(2), 39–46. https://doi.org/10.5704/MOJ.2007.009
Smith, J. D., & Guerra, G. (2021). Quantifying step count and oxygen consumption with portable technology during the 2-min walk test in people with lower limb amputation. Sensors, 21(6). https://doi.org/10.3390/s21062080
Suprayogi, D., Tri, C., & Ningsih, M. (2024). Differences in walking Speed of SACH Foot And Single Axis Foot in Transtibial Prosthesis User. JPOST Journal of Prosthetics Orthotics Science Technology, 3(2). https://doi.org/10.36082/jpost.v3i2.1945
Walter, N., Alt, V., & Rupp, M. (2022). Lower limb amputation rates in Germany. Medicina, 58(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina58010101
Wu, T., & Zhao, Y. (2021). Associations between functional fitness and walking speed in older adults. Geriatric Nursing, 42(2), 540–543. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2020.10.003