K-Levels & Prosthetic Candidacy
This K-level indicates the patient has no potential to ambulate or benefit from a prosthesis.
What is K0?
The prosthetic suspension system that uses a one-way valve to create a negative pressure seal.
What is suction suspension?
A patient with a transfemoral prosthesis is vaulting during swing. The prosthesis is likely too this.
What is long?
This alignment line for a BKA prosthesis extends from the greater trochanter through the knee to this location.
What is the ankle?
During prosthetic training, one major focus is this skill to improve confidence in single-limb stance.
What is balance training or weight shifting?
The highest K-level (K4) is typically seen in this type of patient.
Who are children, athletes, or very active adults?
These systems allow for adjustable socket compression using dials and cables.
What are RevoFit or Boa systems?
Too long of a toe lever arm causes this gait deviation during terminal stance.
What is excessive knee extension or "walking uphill"?
This term refers to the vertical movement of the socket due to poor suspension.
What is pistoning?
A wide-based gait with a medial leaning pylon creates this type of knee deviation.
What is genu valgus?
This tool can be used to help predict prosthetic candidacy both with and without a prosthesis.
What is the Amputee Mobility Predictor (AMPPro/AMPnoPro)?
This interface is placed directly between the residual limb and the socket to enhance comfort.
What is a liner or sock system?
This gait deviation occurs when the heel moves laterally during initial swing.
What is a lateral whip?
An amputee reports their limb feels like it's "stepping in a hole." This usually indicates the prosthesis is...
What is too short?
A patient has excessive trunk extension during midstance. This may be due to this contracture.
What is a hip flexion contracture?
This K-level includes ambulation on uneven surfaces but not variable cadence.
What is K2?
This prosthetic foot type is known for energy return due to its spring-like keel.
What is a dynamic response foot?
A transfemoral amputee has lateral trunk bending during gait. One likely cause is weakness in this muscle group.
What are the hip abductors?
The goal of this test socket is to visualize pressure and allow easy adjustments before a definitive socket is made.
What is the test/check socket?
This type of knee mechanism allows for microprocessor control and better safety in uneven terrain.
What is a microprocessor knee?
These type of factors are assessed to determine if a person will likely succeed with a prosthesis. Name at least 2 examples to get the points.
What are predictive factors of prosthetic candidacy? (such as endurance, limb shape, cognition, and motivation)
This socket design encloses the ischium to improve pelvic control during stance.
What is the ischial containment socket?
A patient demonstrates decreased stance time on the prosthesis and shortened step length on the contralateral leg. Name this deviation.
What is uneven step length?
Improper socket fit or excessive distal pressure may lead to this painful condition due to limb shrinkage.
What is bottoming out?
This type of foot is waterproof and allows heel height adjustments.
What is the Elation foot?