The WorkSafeBC PDES Working Committee is evaluating the percentage of disability awarded to injured workers with below knee amputation.

The WorkSafeBC Permanent Disability Evaluation Schedule (PDES) (page 26 of PDES) section 6 “Lower Extremity” Subsection A “Amputation” (Figure 1) stated that there are two different percentages of disability awarded to the amputee. One is for 45% total disability for an amputee with a short below knee stump suitable for conventional below knee prosthesis and the other one is for a 35% total disability for an amputee with below knee amputation that is suitable for a below knee prosthesis (patellar bearing) (we assumed that patellar bearing was referring to the type of socket available for below knee amputee. Please note there is no mention on the stump length).

Given these circumstances, the Evidence-Based Practice Group (EBPG) was asked whether the concept of stump length affecting the level of disability/function among amputees, as well as whether the available prosthesis for below knee amputation mentioned in PDES (PDES mentioned about conventional and patellar bearing prostheses) are still current.