What Are Contributors to Successful Mobility with Lower Limb Prostheses? The Perspectives and Experiences from Amputee Rehabilitation Program Graduates 4224

Thursday, October 30, 2025

11:15 AM - 11:30 AM

Location: ROOM: Williford B >>> DIRECTIONS: Third Floor >>> From the Main Elevator Bank, proceed left. Williford B is the second room on your right.

Author(s)

Kristin E. Nugent, MPT MSc

PhD Candidate
Western University
London, Ontario, Canada

Slides Slides
Janelle Unger, PT, PhD (she/her/hers)

Assistant Professor
Western University
London, Ontario, Canada
RV

Ricardo Viana, MD, OT

Physiatrist
St Joseph's Health Care
London, Ontario, Canada
MP

Michael Payne, MD MSc FRCPC

Physiatrist
Western University
London, Ontario, Canada
Susan Hunter, PT PhD

Associate Professor
University of Western Ontario
London, Ontario, Canada

For people with lower limb loss, completing a prosthesis rehabilitation program can be an important step to re-integrate into their community. These programs aim to restore mobility, build confidence, and enhance engagement in daily activities. Clinicians typically assess success in these programs based on outcomes such as the ability to ambulate with a prosthesis and independently don and doff the device. At the same time, participants in these programs may prioritize different aspects of success that reflect their personal goals and everyday experiences. Recognizing potential differences between clinical measures and participants’ definitions of success can help refine and enhance program outcomes. This study explored how people who have completed a prosthesis rehabilitation program define successful mobility with a prosthesis.

Learning Objectives:

Describe the important patient factors that contribute to amputee rehabilitation success.
Delineate that falls are not perceived as a failure to overall mobility among patients with lower limb amputations who use a prosthesis.
Explore the importance of identifying patients who are mentally prepared to mobilize with a prosthesis.