Amputations & Prosthetics

Lower Extremity Amputations

Leos Not Using Prostheses
Depending on the level of lower limb deficit and his or her individual level of rehabilitation, the LEO with some lower extremity deficits may be able to safely and effectively perform law enforcement job functions without a prosthesis. Generally, this will apply to LEOs with deficits no greater than a trans-metatarsal loss on one foot.

Toe Deficits
LEOs who lack any one toe or multiple or all toes generally would be able to safely and effectively perform law enforcement job tasks, although they may need shoe modifications.

Single Ray Deficits
LEOs with single ray deficits involving one toe and the associated metatarsal may be able to safely and effectively perform law enforcement job functions.

Multiple Ray Deficits
LEOs with multiple deficits of a toe and the corresponding metatarsal may have difficulty safely and effectively performing law enforcement job functions. The police physician will need to provide appropriate work restrictions.

Transmetatarsal and More Proximal Foot and Ankle Deficits
LEOs with a deficit above the metatarsal heads across the entire foot are likely to have difficulty safely and effectively performing law enforcement job functions. (There are several named mid- and hind-foot amputations as well as ankle disarticulations that fit into this general category – see Appendix A for a discussion of individual amputations.) The police physician will need to provide appropriate work restrictions.

Transtibial and Proximal Deficits
LEOs with transtibial deficits without a prosthesis will not be able to safely and effectively perform law enforcement job functions. The police physician will need to provide appropriate work restrictions.

Toe Amputations
Toe prostheses are rarely used, except for the great toe, other than for cosmetic purposes. LEOs with toe amputations should be able to safely and effectively perform law enforcement job functions.

Transmetatarsal Amputations
LEOs with transmetatarsal amputations using a shoe modification should be able to safely and effectively perform law enforcement functions.

Metatarsal-tarsal Junction and More Proximal Foot and Ankle Amputations
LEOs with metatarsal-tarsal junction and more proximal foot and ankle amputations may have difficulty safely and effectively performing law enforcement job functions even with a prosthesis. The police physician will need to provide appropriate work restrictions.

Transtibial Amputations
LEOs with transtibial amputations using prostheses may be able to safely and effectively perform law enforcement job functions. They should be individually tested with tasks simulating actions involved in law enforcement job functions (see Appendix B for evaluation criteria).

Knee Disarticulations
LEOs with trans-knee amputations using prostheses may be able to safely and effectively perform law enforcement job functions. They should be individually tested with tasks simulating actions involved in law enforcement job functions (see Appendix B for evaluation criteria).

Transfemoral Amputations
LEOs with transfemoral amputations using prostheses may be able to safely and effectively perform law enforcement job functions. They should be individually tested with tasks simulating actions involved in law enforcement job functions (see Appendix B for evaluation criteria).

Hip Disarticulation and Hemipelvectomy
LEOs with hip and pelvis-level amputations using prostheses are unlikely to be able to safely and effectively perform law enforcement job functions. The police physician will need to provide appropriate work restrictions.