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. 2025 Mar 31;8(1):75-88.
doi: 10.4314/rjmhs.v8i1.6. eCollection 2025 Mar.

Satisfaction with Prosthesis and Walking Ability among Trans-Tibial Prosthesis Users from Two Selected Rehabilitation Hospitals in Rwanda

Pasteur Butoya  1 , Jean de Dieu Rukundo  1 , Jackline Mupenzi Gatsinzi  1 , Dumisani James Ngulube  1 , Joanitah Kemigisha  2 , Diane Izere  1 , Innocent Mbonyinshuti  3 , Nuhu Assuman  2
Affiliations

Satisfaction with Prosthesis and Walking Ability among Trans-Tibial Prosthesis Users from Two Selected Rehabilitation Hospitals in Rwanda

Pasteur Butoya et al. Rwanda J Med Health Sci. .

Abstract

Background: Satisfaction with the prosthesis is the key element to using the prosthesis for better walking and performing daily activities among transtibial prosthesis users. Different factors affect satisfaction and walking ability.

Objective: To evaluate satisfaction and assess walking ability among transtibial prosthesis users from two rehabilitation hospitals in Rwanda.

Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted on 45 transtibial prosthesis users who received their prostheses from the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali and Gatagara Orthopedics and Rehabilitation Hospital, Nyanza. The research was done from February 1, 2024, to April 30, 2024. The Trinity Amputation and Prosthesis Experience-Revised (TAPES-R) was utilized to evaluate satisfaction whereas the Timed Up and Go (TUG) and the 2 minutes' walk test (2MWT) were used for walking ability assessment.

Results: Out of 45 participants, 71.1% (n=32) were males and the remaining were females. On satisfaction with prosthesis, 62.2% were satisfied while 37.8% were unsatisfied. The satisfaction was statistically significantly associated with shape (p≤0.001), appearance (p≤0.003), weight (p≤0.001), usefulness (p≤0.027), reliability (p≤0.035), fit (p≤0.001), and comfort (p≤0.038) of their prosthesis, their health status (p≤0.011) and physical status (p≤0.001). For walking ability, 60% of the participants demonstrated moderate walking ability.

Conclusion: Some transtibial prosthesis users were unsatisfied with their prosthesis. Moderate walking ability was observed generally. More rehabilitation including gait training, physiotherapy, early prosthetic fitting, rehabilitation team follow-ups and use of advanced prosthetic technology are recommended.

Keywords: Rwanda; Transtibial amputation; prosthesis; satisfaction; walking ability.

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Conflict of interest statement

None

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Level of satisfaction on various aspects of current prosthesis
Figure 2
Figure 2
Overall satisfaction with current prosthesis
Figure 3
Figure 3
TUG results of the participants walking with their current prosthesis
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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