Testing the indications for new prosthetic components in transfemoral amputees

Leg prostheses designed for normal walking, standing and climbing stairs are prostheses that serve as the direct replacement of the missing body part and its absent features. The disability should be compensated as far as possible. The aim of treatment is ultimately to be on an equal par with a healthy person. In particular, the development of electronic control concepts in prosthetic knee joints allows an extended compensation of the disability, which the insured persons are entitled to claim if it comprehensively impacts on everyday life. There is an increasing need for the statutory accident insurance to check the indications of modern microprocessor-controlled prosthetic components, partly due to the rising costs. With the testing the insurance companies have the possibility of providing the amputee with a really appropriate means and to perform the necessary quality assurance, also in order to justify the high costs of modern prosthetics. Last but not least the treatment also has to be economically sound. For this purpose, the proof of a measurable significant advantage by using the new tools is required. During a hospital stay an extensive gait analysis and testing in a walking course is first performed with the existing prosthetics. After a test fitting with the new prosthetic part and instructions in use, the tests are repeated with the new prosthesis. The comparison of test results allows a professionally founded statement regarding the medical necessity of a provision with new prosthetic components based on years of experience, standardized test methods and objective test results.