Performance and environmental factors related to the main locomotor outcome in persons with an unilateral transtibial amputation equipped with energy storage and return feet

Objective. To assess performance and environmental factors in persons with an Unilateral TransTibial amputation (UTTA) equipped with an Energy Storage And Return (ESAR) foot. Method. Prosthetic Profile of the Amputees (PPA) questionnaire was sent to 295 adults with an UTTA. Results. Seventy-eight questionnaires met all criteria. The main locomotor outcome, was optimal in 51% of cases. The performance that best predicted the optimal main locomotor outcome was the ability to walk alone outside in inclement weather (OR [95%CI] = 36 [9.65–136.16]). The most predictive environmental factor was the acceptance of the amputation by the family and friends (OR [95%CI] = 6 [1.17–30.72]). Conclusions. A marked proportion of persons with UTTA showed a suboptimal walking performance at least 6 months after the attribution of an ESAR foot