Analysis of the functional performance of amputees on the timed up and go scale compared to healthy volunteers: cross-sectional observational study.

The amputation of a limb directly impacts functioning. The lack of standardization in the assessment of lower-limb amputees complicates the identification of actual impairments. The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test has been validated and used in these individuals' clinical practice. The authors compared the performance of lower-limb amputees with that of healthy volunteers and identified the factors involved in performing the test and, consequently, in the patient´s functioning ability. Lower limb amputee individuals referred to the Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation of the Hospital das Clínicas of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of São Paulo (IMREA-HCFMUSP) were included, as well as healthy volunteers, between August 2020 and July 2022. Statistical data were analyzed using Stata 14, with a significance level set at α < 0.05. The results indicate that TUG times were statistically different between the groups, which can be explained by factors such as age, mobility measured by the Amputee Mobility Predictor Questionnaire (AMP), and prosthetic use. The TUG test can be standardized in clinical practice for amputee patients, and identifying the factors influencing its values supports the structuring of rehabilitation for lower-limb amputations.