LOWER-EXTREMITY KINEMATIC AND KINETIC ADAPTATIONS IN UNILATERAL BELOW-KNEE AMPUTEES DURING WALKING

The aim of this project was to explore the nature of gait accommodatio ns by unilateral below-knee amputees during walking. Lower extremity k inematic and kinetic data for two groups of subjects, 6 below-knee amp utees (both prosthetic and intact limbs) and 6 able-bodied individuals (a single limb), were computed as subjects walked at 1.2 and 1.6 mis. Kinematic profiles were similar for all three limb conditions. The la rgest difference between limbs occurred late in stance at the ankle jo int when the prosthetic limb displayed substantially less planter flex ion because of its passive response to unloading. Joint kinetic differ ences between limbs were most apparent at the knee. Whereas the net an kle and hip moments were similar for all three limb conditions, the ne t knee moment for the prosthetic leg deviated from the amputee intact and non-amputee limbs by remaining flexor throughout the stance phase. This response was attributed to an effort to reduce loading on and ab out the knee joint and stump of the prosthetic limb. Despite the absen ce of an extensor contribution from the prosthetic knee, the overall s upport moment on the prosthetic side was sufficient to provide a norma l support function. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.