Instructional video for lower limb amputees on navigating stairs and ramps with a prosthetic device.

Navigating Stairs:
Above Knee Amputee: 0:19
Below Knee Amputee: 3:49
Bilateral Below Knee Amputee: 6:33

Navigating Ramps:
Above Knee Amputee: 7:57
Below Knee Amputee: 11:19
Bilateral Below Knee Amputee: 13:50

Notes:
Above knee amputees utilizing a mechanical knee, and not a computerized knee, must keep the prosthetic knee locked at all times when descending stairs and ramps. If the knee is unlocked under load, it will collapse and may result in significant bodily injury. This is best accomplished by tightening the buttock, or gluteal muscles, and pressing into the back of the socket. This will prevent the prosthetic knee from buckling on stairs and declines of a lower grade. Taller grades of ramp may require walking down sideways as demonstrated in this video.
Always practice with the support of both hands and with supervision while learning how to navigate stairs and ramps. They are a challenging and potentially dangerous obstacle if safety is not the priority.



This is the thirteenth episode of our Prosthetic Training video series which covers the spectrum of amputee rehabilitation from immediately postamputation through running with a prosthesis. They are intended for clinicians and patients and are a great resource for rehabilitation professionals working with lower limb amputees.

View the entire series here:    • Prosthetic Training Series  



If you have questions relating to this topic or notice other questions similar to yours, check out our You Asked Series, where we answer patient questions in short digestible videos.

   • You Asked  



Instructor: David Lawrence, MSPT, ATRet
David is an internationally renowned rehabilitation professional and educator. In addition to treating patients, he delivers courses in the USA and abroad on knee, hip and foot pathologies, rehabilitation following limb amputation, and disabled sports and recreation. He is founder of The Gait Center, a walking focused physical therapy clinic located in Richmond, VA, USA, as well as the founder and Chief Executive Officer for Mission Gait.



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Video production by Will Riddick, PT, DPT for Mission Gait.