INVESTIGATION OF LOCALIZED SKIN TEMPERATURE DISTRIBUTION ACROSS THE TRANSTIBIAL RESIDUAL LIMB
Authors: Ghoseiri Kamiar , Allami Mostafa , Murphy Justin R. , Page Phillip , Button Duane C. 
Published: January 2021

BACKGROUND: Interventions to resolve thermal discomfort as a common complaint in amputees are usually chosen based on the residual limb skin temperature while wearing prosthesis; whereas, less attention has been paid to residual limb skin temperature while outside of the prosthesis. The objective of this study was to explore the localized and regional skin temperature over the transtibial residual limb (TRL) while outside of the prosthesis.

METHODOLOGY: Eight unilateral transtibial adults with traumatic amputation were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Participants sat to remove their prostheses and rested for 30 minutes. Twelve sites were marked circumferentially in four columns (anterolateral, anteromedial, posteromedial, and posterolateral) and longitudinally in three rows (proximal, middle, and distal) over the residual limb and used for attachment of analog thermistors. Skin temperature was recorded and compared for 11 minutes. Furthermore, the relationship of skin temperature with participants’ demographic and clinical characteristics was explored.

FINDINGS: The whole temperature of the TRL was 27.73 (SD=0.83)°C. There was a significant difference in skin temperature between anterior and posterior columns. Likewise, the distal row was significantly different from the proximal and middle rows. The mean temperature at the middle and distal zones of the anteromedial column had the highest and lowest skin temperatures (29.8 and 26.3°C, p<0.05), respectively. The mean temperature of the whole TRL had no significant relationships (p>0.05) with participants’ demographic and clinical characteristics.

CONCLUSIONS: An unequal distribution of temperature over the TRL was found with significantly higher and lower temperatures at its anterior column and distal row, respectively. This temperature pattern should be considered for thermoregulation strategies. Further investigation of the residual limb temperature with and without prosthesis, while considering muscles thickness and blood perfusion rate is warranted.

Layman's Abstract

The socket is a plastic hard-shell interface between the residual limb, the remaining part of the amputated limb, and a prosthesis. Heat buildup inside the prosthetic socket and perspiration of the residual limb are major discomforts in amputees when wearing a prosthesis. The majority of prior research measured residual limb skin temperature while the prosthesis was worn. However, less attention has been paid to skin temperature without prostheses. Skin temperature of eight adults with one-sided traumatic below-knee amputation was measured. Participants sat and removed their prostheses. Twelve anatomical sites were marked circumferentially in four columns and longitudinally in three rows over the residual limb and used for temperature recording using temperature sensors. The whole temperature of the residual limb was 27.73 (SD=0.83)°C. Skin temperature was higher at anterior columns compared to posterior columns. Similarly, the distal row of the residual limb had the lowest temperature compared to its middle and proximal rows. From a localized standpoint, the middle part at the anterior medial surface of the residual limb had the highest temperature, whereas the distal part at the anterior-medial surface had the lowest skin temperature. There was no noticeable relationship between the average of the residual limb skin temperature and participants’ demographic and clinical characteristics. Some strategies need to be developed to regulate and control heat dissipation over the residual limb's surface when amputees do not wear prostheses. Further temperature recording research by considering muscle thickness and arterial blood flow rate of the residual limb with and without prosthesis is suggested.

Article PDF Link: https://jps.library.utoronto.ca/index.php/cpoj/article/view/35070/27313

How To Cite: Ghoseiri K, Allami M, Murphy J.R, Page P, Button D.C. Investigation of localized skin temperature distribution across the transtibial residual limb. Canadian Prosthetics & Orthotics Journal. 2021;Volume 4, Issue 1, No.2. https://doi.org/10.33137/cpoj.v4i1.35070

Corresponding Author: Duane C Button, PhDSchool of Human Kinetics and Recreation, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada.E-mail: dbutton@mun.caORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6402-8545