Patient Evaluation Flashcards

A patient presents for evaluation with a trans-radial amputation. The practitioner measures a residual limb length of 70% of the contralateral forearm. How does this affect prosthetic prescription?

Answer: It provides excellent lever arm and prosthetic suspension options including self-suspension

A residual limb at 70% of contralateral forearm length provides a good lever arm and sufficient condyle anatomy for self-suspension socket designs.

During evaluation, a practitioner notes that a patient has a neuroma at the end of the residual limb. How should this information influence the prosthetic fitting plan?

Answer: The socket design must relieve pressure over the neuroma to prevent pain with weight-bearing

Neuromas are hypersensitive and require pressure relief in the socket to prevent pain during prosthetic use.

A practitioner is evaluating a patient with stroke-related hemiplegia for lower extremity orthotics. Which gait deviation is most commonly addressed with a posterior leaf spring AFO?

Answer: Foot drop during swing phase

A posterior leaf spring AFO provides dorsiflexion assist to lift the foot during swing phase, addressing the most common gait deviation in stroke (foot drop).

When taking a comprehensive patient history, which psychosocial factor has the greatest evidence-based impact on prosthetic rehabilitation outcomes?

Answer: Patient motivation and self-efficacy beliefs

Patient motivation and self-efficacy are consistently identified as the strongest psychosocial predictors of prosthetic rehabilitation success.

A practitioner evaluates a patient with a transtibial prosthesis who reports the socket feels tight in the morning but loose by afternoon. What is the most likely explanation?

Answer: Residual limb volume fluctuates throughout the day due to activity and dependent positioning

Residual limb volume naturally decreases with activity (fluid redistribution) and increases with rest, causing fit changes throughout the day.

During evaluation, a practitioner assesses a patient's ability to don and doff a prosthesis independently. Under the ICF model, this activity falls under which domain?

Answer: Activity

Independent donning and doffing is a task-level action, categorized under the Activity domain of the International Classification of Functioning.

A patient referred for a spinal orthosis has a diagnosis of osteoporotic compression fracture at T12. Which evaluation finding would most influence the choice between a rigid TLSO and a flexible lumbosacral orthosis?

Answer: Degree of kyphotic deformity, pain level, and patient's ability to tolerate a rigid interface

The degree of deformity, pain severity, and patient tolerance for rigid contact guide the decision between rigid immobilization and flexible support for osteoporotic fractures.