Isokinetic evaluation of the muscular strength of the thigh in military traumatic transtibial amputees.

UNLABELLED: Introduction-Aim :Lower limb amputation can lead to subclinical gait impairment secondary to muscle weakness. Hence the aim of our work, which was the instrumental assessment of isokinetic thigh muscle strength in traumatic military transtibial amputees.

METHODS

This was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out in physical medicine and rehabilitation department over a 6-months period. Our study included only military lower limb amputees caused by mine explosion. All patients had a functional evaluation (walking speed and the 2-minute walk test) associated to an isokinetic evaluation of the couple quadriceps(Q)-hamstring(H) on both lower limbs on the concentric mode at 90°/s, 120°/s and 180°/s.

RESULTS

Forty patients were included. The mean age was 30.15 ± 7 years with male exclusivity. Muscle testing revealed no motor deficiencies, and all patients had thigh amyotrophy. Functional evaluation showed a mean walking speed of 1.4 m/s ± 0.3 and a 2-minute walk test of 161 meter ± 24.6. Q peak torque (PT) on the healthy side was greater than on the amputated side at all velocities with a significant association between PT (Q), PT(H) and Q muscle test and 2-min walk test. The ratio (H/Q) was higher for the healthy side for all velocities.

CONCLUSION

The quality of standing and walking depends on muscle strength of the lower limbs. Isokinetic assessment and instrumental rehabilitation should be systematically included in the management of military amputees.