Perceived Stability, Function, and Satisfaction Among Transfemoral Amputees Using Microprocessor and Nonmicroprocessor Controlled Prosthetic Knees: A Multicenter Survey

In Brief Objective: To evaluate perceived comfort, security, maneuverability, cosmetic attributes, adverse effects, and safety of the microprocessor controlled C-Leg and nonmicroprocessor controlled passive prosthetic knees. Design: Nonrandomized pretest/posttest self-reported assessment with 50-question survey instrument. Setting: Six hundred Hanger Prosthetics and Orthotics facilities. Participants: Three hundred sixty-eight unilateral transfemoral amputees. Main Outcome Measures: Socket fit, confidence/security, gait and maneuverability, physical attributes, physical effects, and negative attributes/limiting factors of the two prosthetic technologies. Results: Participants characterized the C-Leg microprocessor controlled prosthesis as “better” according to the response percentages with regard to the following parameters: socket fit (72.9%), confidence/security (88.1%), gait and maneuverability (88.4%), physical attributes (65.8%), physical effects (61.5%), and negative attributes/limiting factors (85.3%). After use of the C-Leg, mean survey scores were significantly higher than initial responses associated with passive nonmicroprocessor controlled prosthetic knees (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: In comparison with their nonmicroprocessor controlled hydraulic prostheses, participants reported significant improvements with the C-Leg microprocessor controlled prosthetic knee with regard to comfort, security, maneuverability, cosmetic attributes, adverse effects, and safety. Using a non-randomized pre-test/post-test self-reported assessment with a 50-question survey instrument, 368 unilateral transfemoral amputees evaluated perceived comfort, security, maneuverability, cosmetic attributes, adverse effects and safety of the microprocessor-controlled C-Leg and non-microprocessor controlled passive prosthetic knees. Participants characterized the C-Leg microprocessorcontrolled prosthesis as “better” according to the response percentages with regard to these parameters: socket fit (72.9%), confidence/security (88.1%), gait and maneuverability (88.4%), physical attributes (65.8%), physical effects (61.5%), and negative attributes/limiting factors (85.3%).