INTRODUCTION The Service Member (SM) population, which typically maintains a higher level of fitness compared to the civilian population, is still extremely deconditioned after lower limb amputation. Most rehabilitative exercise programs involve walking, and thus prosthetic feet are required for proper care. Currently, there is little research on the prescription of prosthetic feet to SMs with lower limb amputations. This information can assist in clinician decision-making and preparation for future conflicts by quantifying the number of devices typically prescribed, the types of devices, and the activities this population often returns to.
METHODS Data was taken from a total of 109 subjects in this study. Subjects were eligible if they had DoD healthcare beneficiary status, were 18 years of age or older, had a unilateral transtibial amputation, and obtained prosthetic care between January 2009 and June 2016 at the specified facility. Information about the individual prosthetic devices was obtained from manufacturer websites, private prosthetist websites, and in-person consultations with prosthetists.
RESULTS There was a total of 597 prosthetic feet prescribed, with an average of 5.48 feet prescribed in the first two years of care. The mean time until the first foot was received was 54.69 days, and the median was 26 days. The prosthetics were split into two categories: daily use accounted for 64.2 percent of prescriptions and activity specific use accounted for 35.8 percent. The two most common types of activity specific feet were running (70.2 percent) and water use (19.2 percent).
DISCUSSION Many of the prescribed devices were activity specific, especially for running and water use activities. This information can be used to guide rehabilitative program goals in the future. While these numbers are likely an underestimation, they can be used as a starting point which may help prepare hospitals and clinics for future costs of rehabilitative care after a conflict.