Patient Management & Follow-Up Flashcards

During a follow-up visit, a transtibial amputee reports that their residual limb has decreased in volume since fitting. What is the most appropriate initial intervention?

Answer: Add prosthetic socks to accommodate volume loss

Adding prosthetic socks is the standard first-line approach to compensate for residual limb volume reduction and restore proper fit.

A patient with a below-knee prosthesis presents with a pistoning gait pattern. Which follow-up assessment is most critical?

Answer: Evaluate suspension mechanism integrity

Pistoning is primarily caused by inadequate suspension, so evaluating the suspension system is the priority assessment.

When documenting a patient's functional outcome at a 6-month follow-up, which standardized tool is most appropriate for lower limb prosthetic users?

Answer: Timed Up and Go (TUG) test

The Timed Up and Go test is a validated, widely used functional mobility assessment appropriate for prosthetic users.

A pediatric prosthetic patient's parent reports the child has outgrown the socket after 3 months. What growth accommodation strategy should be employed?

Answer: Use a flexible inner socket with adjustable frame

A flexible inner socket with an adjustable frame allows for periodic adjustments to accommodate rapid pediatric growth.

At a 3-month follow-up, a transfemoral amputee reports knee instability during stance phase. The most likely cause is:

Answer: Excessive knee flexion moment from socket alignment

Knee instability during stance in a transfemoral amputee is most commonly related to alignment creating excessive knee flexion moment.

During a follow-up session, a patient indicates they cannot don their prosthesis independently. Which intervention addresses this issue most directly?

Answer: Provide dressing aids and repeated donning training

Providing dressing aids and repeated donning training directly addresses independence in prosthesis application.

A patient presents at a follow-up with skin breakdown at the distal tibia. The practitioner notes the socket has a hard distal end. The appropriate modification is:

Answer: Add distal cushioning or fabricate a cushion liner

Distal tibial skin breakdown from a hard socket end is addressed by adding cushioning material or a cushioned liner to distribute pressure.