Author/Editor		Isakov, E; Burger, H; Gregorič, M; Marinček, Č
Title		Stump length as related to atrophy and strength of the amputated thigh muscles in below-knee amputees
Type		članek
Source		In: Miklavčič D, Bajd T, Stanič U, editors. Proceedings of the 9th international conference on mechanics in medicine and biology; 1996 Jun 30-Jul 4; Ljubljana. Ljubljana: Slovenian society of medical and biological engineering,
Publication year		1996
Volume		str. 119-22
Language		eng
Abstract		In the present study we evaluated and compared strength of the quadriceps and hamstrings muscles of both limbs in veteran below-knee amputees, as measured by means of electrical dynamometer. The obtained results that the thigh muscles of the sound limbs are significantly stronger than those of the amputated limbs (p<0.01). In the group of amputees with a stump shorter than 15.1 cm, values of quadriceps (eccentric contraction) and hamstrings (concentric contraction) strength were significantly weaker when compared to the group with a longer stump (p<0.05). In the group of amputees where muscle atrophy was accompanied by decrease in thigh girth of over 5.9 cm., muscles strenght did not significantly decreased (p>0.05) as compare to amputees where thigh girth decrase was lesser. We conclude that the amputated thigh muscles strenght of veteran transtibial amputees in significantly decreased, particularly in amputees with a short stump. Strengthening exercises to these muscles are recommended in order to improve standing balance and quality of gait.
Descriptors		AMPUTATION STUMPS THIGH MUSCLE CONTRACTION ELECTRIC STIMULATION MUSCULAR ATROPHY LEG