LIMB-Q Kids
Holistic Lower Limb Differences Questionnaire
Abstract
Lower limb differences (LLDs), such as leg length discrepancies, limb deficiencies, and abnormally developed joints affect many children worldwide [1]. They can arise from congenital defects, trauma, infections, tumours, or other medical issues.1 These conditions often lead to physical limitations, gait problems, pain, and appearance-related concerns, which may deter children from participating in recreational and social activities, leading to behavioural, emotional, psychological, and social challenges [2]. The complexity and length of treatments for lower limb differences can impact these children’s health-related quality of life (HRQOL), a measure of how illness and treatment affect their daily functioning and overall well-being. Currently, no patient-reported outcome (PRO) instruments exist to measure HRQOL for children and adolescents with lower limb differences. As a result, their HRQOL has typically been assessed using generic or parent-reported instruments [3].
To address this gap, researchers from McMaster and the University of British Columbia developed an internationally applicable PRO instrument specifically for this population. The tool was developed using patient perspective and expertise from caregivers and health professionals from multiple sites internationally at every stage of the development and validation process. The tool includes ranking leg appearance, physical function, hip symptoms, leg symptoms, knee symptoms, foot & ankle symptoms, leg-related distress, psychological function, and social function. It will assist healthcare professionals in evaluating and improving interventions for children with lower limb differences and will generate data on treatment effectiveness to support decision-making regarding treatment options.
Applications
- Informing research and clinical care.
- Measuring efficacy of treatments (surgical and non-surgical) including prosthetic limbs.
Advantages
- Designed using 79 patient (aged 8-18 years) and parent perspectives and feedback
- Revised by feedback from 40 experts (patients, parents and health care professionals) and tested on 800 international participants for reliability and validity.
Available in Arabic, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, German, Hindi, Hebrew, and Portugese.
Tech ID
25-069
Inventors
H. Chhina
A. Cooper
A. Klassen
Contact
MILO Business Development
References
[1] Richard E. Bowen, N. Y. O. The Child with a Limb Deficiency. in 39–51 (Rosemont, IL: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 1998).
[2] Cadman, D., Boyle, M., Szatmari, P. & Offord, D. R. Chronic illness, disability, and mental and social well-being: findings of the Ontario Child Health Study. Pediatrics 79, 805–813 (1987).
[3] Cooper, A. et al. Quality of life of children with lower limb deformities: A systematic review of patient-reported outcomes and development of a preliminary conceptual framework. J. Limb Lengthening Reconstr. 3, 19 (2017).
