After a patient is fitted with a prosthesis and begins walking, physical therapists and prosthetists conduct observational gait analysis (OGA) to assess their gait and identify deviations. Using an OGA-tool, which includes a list of prevalent gait deviations and their causes, can guide their evaluation in determining the presence of gait deviations, provide insight into intervention, and measure change over time. Current OGA tools are typically tailored to either physical therapists or prosthetists, focusing primarily on exercise interventions for the former and prosthetic adjustments for the latter. The Functional Lower-limb Amputee Gait (FLAG Assessment) is a new OGA-tool developed specifically to promote communication and collaboration between physical therapists and prosthetists. It outlines the most probable causes for each gait deviation (i.e., body function impairments and patient and prosthetic-related issues). The FLAG Assessment supports sustainable rehabilitation practices by providing a platform for team-based, patient-centered care, where each profession contributes a unique skill set to mitigate observed gait deviations. In this instructional course, attendees will dive deep into the gait deviations featured in the FLAG Assessment and master the skills needed to identify each one. Additionally, they will participate in an interactive session analyzing patient videos to apply their new knowledge.
Statement of the objective / learning objectives
By the end of the course, attendees will be able to describe gait deviations included in the FLAG Assessment, determine their probable causes, and analyze the gait of individuals with lower-limb prostheses using this tool.
