References values and standardized testing protocols for performance-based and patient-reported outcome measures among individuals with lower limb amputation.

The analysis included 58 participants, and the authors state subgroup sizes do not allow formal normative standards across all amputation and functional categories. Most participants were male (88%), K3 (84%), and unilateral (93%), with only 3 K2, 6 K4, and 4 bilateral participants enrolled. Only the first testing session was used, so the report cannot show how scores change with rehabilitation or prosthetic use over time. Several tests were not completed by all participants: 11 (19%) could not do the 5XSTS without using their arms, 2 (3.4%) could not do the FSST without touching a cane, 34 (59%) performed the CHAMP, and 1 did not complete patient-reported measures due to time constraints. Some scores were missing or invalid for specific reasons, including high blood pressure, prosthetic knee overheating, back pain, and unanswered questionnaire items. The authors note that the imbalance limits exploration of sex-specific differences and that reference values for K2, K4, bilateral, and female users should be interpreted cautiously.

The authors declared that financial support was received for the work and/or its publication. The funding statement names the U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity.

Do not treat these scores as normal ranges for every lower-limb amputation user. The authors state subgroup sizes do not allow formal normative standards, and most participants were unilateral K3 users.