Prosthetic Fit Assessment in Transtibial Amputees Secondary to Trauma

Overview

The aims of this study address an exploratory endpoint in the Major Extremity Trauma Research Consortium (METRC) Transtibial Amputation Outcomes Study (TAOS; NCT01821976) that is investigating prosthesis fit, alignment and condition of the residual limb. As there are no validated measures of fit and alignment (factors known to impact comfort, function and performance among amputees) the TAOS study includes a provision in the protocol for acquisition of photographs, video and radiographs in order to help develop uniform assessments of the residual limb. The goal of the ProFit study is to validate and refine the prosthetic assessment tool (ProFit) that was developed by an expert panel of certified orthotist prosthetistis (CPOs) in collaboration with orthopaedic trauma investigators, a measurement scientist and a biomedical engineer from the BADER consortium.

Specific Aim 1: To test the reliability of the ProFit. Patients enrolled in the TAOS trial returning for their eighteen month final visit will undergo radiographic, video, and photographic assessment. A blinded prosthetist panel (PP) will view these remotely and complete a 42 item assessment based on x-ray, photo and video. We will examine two aspects of reliability for the ProFit, inter-rater reliability and internal consistency. Specific Aim 2: To examine the validity and responsiveness of the ProFit. This study aims to examine the validity of the ProFit by specifically evaluating factor validity, construct validity and discriminant validity. This will be accomplished by correlating ProFit scores with measures of self-reported pain (Brief Pain Inventory), function (Short Musculoskeletal Functional Assessment), and satisfaction (Orthotics and Prosthetics User's Survey). Moreover, a subset of subjects will undergo quantitative measurement of fit and alignment using a novel prosthesis-mounted socket reaction moment sensor. Responsiveness of the ProFit will be based on repeated measurements at 6 and 18 months. Specific Aim 3: To develop a shorter version of the ProFit. Based on findings from Aim 1 and 2 at the individual item level, we will remove items that: 1) have poor inter-rater agreement; 2) demonstrate weak relationships with clinician and patient report of overall fit; or 3) exhibit strong ceiling or floor effects. Study design: The ProFit study is a prospective validation study of an assessment of prosthetic fit and alignment among patients with a transtibial amputation. Study duration: 3 years Sample size: 120 TAOS patients will provide adequate power to detect important differences in fit and alignment 18 months following amputation. A subset of 60 patients is necessary to detect significant differences in alignment using the Smart Pyramid. Number of study sites: Up to 35 centers including 24 Core METRC sites, 4 MTFs, and 7 METRC satellite sites. Study population: Patients enrolled in the METRC TAOS study. Outcome measure: This ancillary project to the TAOS trial is designed to study the validity reliability and validity of the ProFit, a 42-item tool for assessing prosthetic fit and alignment among patients with a transtibial amputation. Statistical analysis: Inter-rater reliability and internal consistency will be examined to test the reliability of the ProFit. The validity of this assessment will be evaluated using a variety of construct validity tests. Based on findings from the reliability and validity analysis, a shorter version of the ProFit will be developed. The performance of the shorter version will be determined based on correlation with the original assessment. Randomization: Not applicable Safety monitoring: Not applicable