A 40-year-old post-traumatic transfemoral amputee walks more than one kilometre without limitation, climbs and descends stairs step-over-step, works as a warehouse supervisor, and can vary his cadence. According to the Medicare functional classification system, his prosthetic prescription should target which K-level?

• A K1
• B K2
• C K4
• D K3 ✓

Explanation

K3 describes the community ambulator with the ability to traverse most environmental barriers and negotiate stairs, suitable for a fluid swing-and-stance phase knee or energy-storing foot. K0 has no transfer ability, K1 is a household ambulator, K2 is a limited community ambulator, and K4 exceeds basic skills typical of high-impact activities such as sports or heavy occupational demands seen in children and active adults. His stair ability and cadence variation place him squarely at K3.

Reference: Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics, 14th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.