Patient Management & Follow-Up Flashcards

A patient with a transfemoral prosthesis reports the prosthesis rotates externally during swing phase. Which socket alignment correction is most appropriate?

Answer: Rotate the foot medially relative to the socket

External rotation of the prosthesis during swing is corrected by rotating the foot medially in the alignment to counteract the rotation.

During a follow-up visit with a geriatric transtibial amputee, the practitioner observes excessive trunk lean toward the prosthetic side during stance. This deviation most likely indicates:

Answer: Prosthesis is too short

Trunk lean toward the prosthetic side during stance is a classic compensation for a prosthesis that is too short.

What is the primary purpose of conducting a K-level reassessment at a patient's annual follow-up?

Answer: To ensure the prescribed components match current functional status

Reassessing K-level ensures that the prosthetic components remain appropriate as the patient's functional abilities may have changed.

A patient with a partial foot amputation presents with skin irritation along the dorsal forefoot at a follow-up. The most likely cause is:

Answer: Inadequate dorsal relief in the orthotic/prosthetic interface

Dorsal forefoot skin irritation in a partial foot device typically results from insufficient relief for the residual forefoot bony prominences.

A patient reports that their prosthetic liner develops a strong odor by midday. The most appropriate patient education point is:

Answer: Wash the liner daily with mild soap and water and allow it to dry completely

Daily cleaning of the prosthetic liner with mild soap and water prevents bacterial growth that causes odor.

When scheduling follow-up intervals for a new prosthetic user in the first year, which schedule is most consistent with best practice?

Answer: Visits at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months

Frequent early follow-up (1 week, 1 month) catches acute fitting issues, with decreasing frequency as the patient stabilizes.

A practitioner documents that a patient has achieved 'community ambulation' status. According to Medicare functional levels, this corresponds to:

Answer: K3

K3 corresponds to community ambulation with the ability to traverse most environmental barriers and variable cadence.