THE EFFECT OF 5 PROSTHETIC FEET ON THE GAIT AND LOADING OF THE SOUND LIMB IN DYSVASCULAR BELOW-KNEE AMPUTEES

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of prosthetic f oot design on the vertical ground reaction forces experienced by the s ound and amputated limbs in a group of persons with dysvascular below- knee amputations. Stride characteristics, joint motion, and ground rea ction forces were recorded simultaneously during a self-selected free walking velocity in seven subjects wearing five different prosthetic f eet (SACH, Flex-Foot, Carbon Copy II, Seattle, Quantum). Subjects used each foot for one month prior to testing. Results indicated that the sound limb was exposed to higher vertical ground reaction forces than normal despite a reduced walking velocity. Use of the Flex-Foot result ed in the lowest sound limb vertical forces, which appears to be relat ed to its large are of dorsiflexion motion. In addition, there was inc reased loading response knee flexion of the sound limb indicating an a ttempt by these subjects to modulate floor impact. These results sugge st that the intact lower extremity is susceptible to excessive floor i mpact, and that prosthetic foot design can have an effect on the magni tude of the vertical forces experienced by the limb.