Isokinetic versus conventional exercise for prosthesis adaptability and gait in traumatic above-knee amputees: study protocol

Introduction Injuries to extremities following trauma are on the rise in developing countries. Often this results in the loss of either the upper or lower limb, in contrast to the Western world, where peripheral vascular disease is the more common cause of amputation. The majority of these patients are the young breadwinners of their families, so early rehabilitation with a good exercise protocol and compliance with the use of a prosthesis can improve the overall outcome in these amputees. The study aims to compare the effects of isokinetic and conventional exercises after the application of immediate postoperative prostheses (IPOP) in relation to prosthesis adaptability and gait in above-knee amputees following trauma. This study will conduct a randomised controlled trial involving patients who are scheduled to undergo above-knee amputation due to trauma, provided they have no additional injuries that could limit their mobility after the application of immediate postoperative prostheses (IPOP). The study will compare two exercise protocols: isokinetic and conventional. Amputee patients in both groups will be tested for strength with a Biodex System 4, their gait pattern with a BTS Smart-DX, and how well they accept the prosthesis using the Questionnaire for Persons with Transfemoral Amputation (Q-TFA) at 6 until 12 weeks following amputation.