OBJECTIVE: To study the influence of a transition from a non-microprocessor controlled to the Rheo Knee II on quality of life, balance confidence and measures of mobility. DESIGN: Randomised crossover trial. SETTING: Research department of a rehabilitation centre. SUBJECTS: Persons with a transfemoral amputation or knee disarticulation (n = 10). INTERVENTIONS: Participants were assessed with their own non-microprocessor controlled knee and with the Rheo Knee II. The low-profile Vari-Flex with EVO foot was installed in both knee conditions, followed by eight weeks of acclimatisation. The order in which knees were tested was randomised. MAIN MEASURES: Prosthesis Evaluation Questionnaire with addendum, Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale, Timed "Up and Go" test, Timed up and down stairs test, Hill Assessment Index, Stairs Assessment Index, Standardized Walking Obstacle Course and One Leg Balance test. RESULTS: Significant higher scores were found for the Rheo Knee II on the Residual Limb Health subscale of the Prosthesis Evaluation Questionnaire when compared to the non-microprocessor controlled prosthetic knee (median (interquartile range) resp 86.67 (62.21 to 93.08) and 68.71 (46.15 to 94.83); p = 0.047) In addition, participants needed significantly more steps to complete an obstacle course when walking with the Rheo Knee II compared to the non-microprocessor controlled prosthetic knee (median (interquartile range) resp 23.50 (19.92 to 26.25) and 22.17 (19.50 to 25.75); p = 0.041). On other outcome measures, no significant differences were found. CONCLUSIONS: Transition towards the Rheo Knee II had little effect on the studied outcome measures.

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