Correlation between volumes and circumferences of residual limb in below knee amputees.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the correlation between the stump circumference at different levels (at tibial tubercle, 4-cm, 8-cm and the distal end) with the stump volumes in below knee amputees.

DESIGN

Cross sectional descriptive design.

SETTING

King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital and Sirindhorn National Medical Rehabilitation Center

PARTICIPANTS

Fifty five unilateral below knee amputees were recruited from the outpatient rehabilitation department.

MEASUREMENT: Residual limb volumes of each subject were measured by water displacement method with volumeter and measured different circumferences level with a tape twice for each method.

RESULTS

The Pearson correlation coefficients of residual limb volume and circumference at tibial tubercle level, 4- and 8- cm from the tubercle, and distal end level were 0.814, 0.892, 0.878, and 0. 715, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The results revealed significant correlation in all levels studied. Maximum correlation coefficient was observed at 4 centimeters below tibial tubercle.