How Socket Comfort, Pain, and Mobility Evolve for Lower Limb Amputees Undergoing Treatment
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For individuals who wear a prosthetic leg all day, there is a delicate balance between socket comfort, discomfort or pain levels, and mobility. The levels of these three factors also differ in different stages of rehabilitation. But how does one factor affect the others? Researchers sought to find out.
The study, published in the Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics in January 2025, sheds light on how addressing comfort and pain can improve functional outcomes throughout rehabilitation.
The study
The researchers carried out a retrospective chart analysis of medical records covering data from January 1, 2015, to July 15, 2021. They focused on 59 individuals undergoing rehabilitation and 165 individuals who were fitted with a replacement prosthetic socket. Most of the sample were older men with below-knee amputations.
To assess the outcomes, the researchers included several measures, including the 2-Minute Walk Test, the Pain Scale, PLUS-M (Prosthetic Limb Users Survey of Mobility), and the Socket Comfort Score. Data was collected at four key points: at the start (Baseline) and at the end (Discharge) of rehabilitation for those getting their first prosthesis, and during the Initial Evaluation and Definitive Fitting for the experienced prosthetic users awaiting a replacement socket.
Results
Pain and Comfort
When the study participants felt more pain, their socket comfort was lower. In numbers, as the pain went up, comfort went down (negative correlation of around -0.49 to -0.60).
Walking Ability and Mobility Score
The study participants’ performance on the 2-minute walk test was related to their PLUS-M mobility score. If they walked better, their mobility score was higher.
Comfort and Mobility Score
The researchers found a positive but small correlation between socket comfort and the mobility score. If the socket was more comfortable, the mobility score was slightly higher (a positive correlation of around 0.30 to 0.32).
Pain and Mobility Score
More pain meant lower mobility scores. So, as pain increased, mobility scores decreased (negative correlation of around -0.46 to -0.32) for those getting a replacement socket.
The bottom line
The study emphasizes the intricate relationship between socket comfort, pain levels, and mobility in lower limb amputees undergoing rehabilitation. As the findings indicate, addressing socket comfort and managing pain effectively are essential to improving functional outcomes and overall quality of life for prosthetic users.
The correlations established within the research highlight that improvements in comfort can lead to better mobility, while increased pain significantly hampers movement and functional performance. Therefore, it is critical to tailor rehabilitation strategies to meet individuals’ evolving needs at different stages of their treatment.
By adopting personalized approaches and ongoing assessments, healthcare providers can optimize rehabilitation outcomes, ensuring that each individual receives the support necessary for regaining independence and improving their daily lives.
This study serves as a vital step towards refining rehabilitation practices and enhancing the lives of those with prosthetic limbs.
