High-Level Mobility of Trans-Tibial Prosthesis Users Wearing Commercial and sPace Energy-Storing Prosthetic Feet

Abstract

Outcomes of users provided with a commercial ESR Vari-Flex foot (Össur, Reykjavik, Iceland) and a locally designed sPace foot were investigated. Step activity with users’ own prosthetic foot compared to the sPace foot was explored. Methods: Eleven individuals with unilateral trans-tibial amputation participated and were provided with an sPace and Vari-Flex foot. Ten- and twenty-meter walk tests (10/20MWT) at comfortable and fast walking speeds (CWS/FWS), the two-minute walk test (2-MWT) and Comprehensive High-Level Activity Mobility Predictor (CHAMP) were administered. A subgroup was provided a pedometer to record their steps over a 7-day period in their own foot and later the sPace. Results: The sPace foot performed well in a battery of high-level mobility outcome measures. On CHAMP, participants scored 16.94 ± 5.41 and 16.72 ± 6.09 with the sPace and Vari-Flex feet, respectively. Subgroup testing of step activity showed 4490 ± 3444 steps in users’ own feet and 3115 ± 1967 in the sPace foot, p = 0.176. Conclusions: Participants using the sPace foot were capable of performing walking, high-level mobility and activity outcome measures.