A real possibility of a life changing benefit
NHS England has acknowledged that there is evidence to support microprocessor limbs - devices which can offer life changing benefits to users and ensure they can live a life without limitations.
The funding objective is to improve walking and balance by aiding walking movements in real time, which in turn reduces falls and accidents caused by a lack of stability.
Does Össur offer knees which are eligible for funding?
Össur is at the forefront of designing the next generation of prosthetic limbs and bionics, two of which are eligible for the NHS funding, and are amongst the most advanced products on the market.
What can Microprocessor Knees offer?
The technology of MPKs has advanced significantly. Referred to as any artificial knee joint which includes a battery-powered, built-in, programmable computer, MPKs are designed to constantly monitor the activities of the user including:
- Easy walking between parallel bars in rehab to smooth walking on real world terrain
- Continuously controlling swing and stance phase based on real time gait data
- Automatic cycling recognition from range of motion training on a stationary bike to riding your bike in the great outdoors
- From stepping over manmade objects in rehab to avoiding real world obstacles
- From stepping over manmade objects in rehab to avoiding real world obstacles
- From varying speed up to a light jog in rehab to running in a variety of everyday situations
What are my next steps?
In the first instance you should contact your local prosthetic centre to ask about funding and your suitability. All users will undertake the pathway as outlined in the NHS Clinical Commissioning Policy.
- Selection: Suitability of the user in relation to the criteria set within the policy, with an assessment performed by a multidisciplinary rehabilitation team
- Prioritisation: Users will be assessed in relation to their clinical need due to budgetary constraints
- Full clinical assessment: A complete physical examination combined with assessments of your medical and activity history and current status
- Goal setting: This refers to the outlining of SMART objectives
- Trial: Once you have been accepted, a trial will be arranged, allowing you to trial and compare two separate units prior to making a decision on which is most suited for you
Following this process, a number of outcomes will be measured on the overall and continued suitability of the MPK.
FAQs
Am I eligible for the funding?
Prior to funding being released, the NHS stipulates that users must meet a specific criteria including amputation level, activity level and mobility level.
Amputation level
- Unilateral trans-femoral
- Hip disarticulation
- Knee disarticulation
- Knee disarticulation
Activity level
- K3: The user is able to walk with a free mechanical knee and has the ability or potential for ambulation with variable cadence and traverse environmental barriers as a community ambulator.
Mobility level
- SIGAM D or above: a user is able to walk more than 50 yards on level ground
In addition to these criteria users to demonstrate a number of actions including:
- Commitment to prosthetic rehabilitation through active participation with the therapy team
- Adequate strength and balance to be able to activate the knee unit
- Requirement of MPK as the main day to day prosthesis
For further information on the criteria and to understand more about what the user must be able to demonstrate to be considered for funding please refer to page 19 of the NHS Clinical Commissioning Policy.
How do I apply for funding?
The MPK funding initiative is available for NHS England centres. If you live in Scotland, Wales or Ireland, please speak with your local clinic on the availability of microprocessor knees.
In the first instance you should contact your local prosthetic centre to ask about funding and your suitability. All users will undertake the pathway as outlined on page 21 of the NHS Clinical Commissioning Policy (link provided above).
This includes:
- Selection: Suitability of the user in relation to the criteria set within the policy, with an assessment performed by a multidisciplinary rehabilitation team
- Prioritisation: Users will be assessed in relation to their clinical need due to budgetary constraints
- Full clinical assessment: A complete physical examination combined with assessments of your medical and activity history and current status
- Goal setting: This refers to the outlining of SMART objectives
- Trial: Once you have been accepted a trial will be arranged, allowing you to trial and compare two separate units prior to making a decision on which is most suited for you
Following this process a number of outcomes will be measured on the overall and continued suitability of the MPK.
What is Microprocessor Knees funding?
In December 2016 NHS England approved funding for the use of microprocessor knees (MPKs) for users with the Clinical Commissioning Policy on Microprocessor controlled prosthetic knees.
NHS England found that following a review that there was evidence to consider supporting the routine commissioning of microprocessor limbs, devices which can offer life changing benefits to users and ensuring they can live a life without limitations. The funding objective is to improve walking and balance by aiding walking movements in real time, which turn reduces falls and accidents caused by a lack of stability.
The goal of the funding is to improve the level of services available to users with limb loss in England.
What is a microprocessor knee?
An artificial knee joint which includes a battery-powered, built-in, programmable computer that continuously controls both swing and stance phase based on real-time data of the user’s gait.
What are the causes of amputation or loss of the knee?
A prosthetic knee joint is part of a lower leg walking ‘prosthesis’ – sometimes known as an artificial leg or limb. It is used by people with an limb absence at or above the knee. The loss of this part of the leg is commonly a result of problems with the blood vessels in the leg (‘vascular disease’). These problems may happen with or without diabetes.
Other causes of limb loss include:
- Severe injuries caused through an accidents (trauma)
- Treatment of ‘malignant’ disease – usually related to cancer
- Infections
- Complications of muscle and bone illness (musculoskeletal)
- Limb differences from birth (congenital)
What is a SIGAM Mobility Grade?
The SIGAM (Special Interest Group in Amputee Medicine) scale is a simple yet fully validated scale of Disability Mobility Grades. It measures function of lower limb amputees fitted with a functional or cosmetic prosthesis in terms of mobility. It was developed from the Harold Wood/Stanmore Mobility Grades to improve accuracy of grade allocation, and it includes a benchmark distance of 50 meters and uses a questionnaire and algorithm with grades from A (non-limb user) to F (normal or near normal walking).
What are K Activity Levels?
A 5-level functional classification system related to the functional abilities of users with lower-limb loss. It ranges from K0 (no mobility) to K4 (High activity, with high impact stress on the prosthesis).
Do I need to visit an NHS England clinic first?
Yes. The MPK policy states that in the first instance you should speak with your NHS England prosthetic centre to be considered for selection, from which you will follow the pathway as outlined on page 21 of the NHS Clinical Commissioning Policy (link provided above).
Is the MPK funding only available to those living in England?
Yes. Budget may be available to those living in Scotland, Wales and Ireland however this is separate to the MPK funding and will be dealt with on a case by case basis and subject to budgetary constraints and availability. We would advise you to speak with your local prosthetic clinic to discuss this with your prosthetist in more detail.