Joint moments during downhill and uphill walking of a person with transfemoral amputation with a hydraulic articulating and a rigid prosthetic ankle—a case study

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Alexander, N., Strutzenberger, G., Kroell, J., Barnett, C.T. ORCID: 0000-0001-6898-9095 and Schwameder, H., 2018. Joint moments during downhill and uphill walking of a person with transfemoral amputation with a hydraulic articulating and a rigid prosthetic ankle—a case study. Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics, 30 (1), pp. 46-54. ISSN 1040-8800

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Official URL: http://doi.org/10.1097/JPO.0000000000000171

Abstract

Introduction: Functional characteristics of prosthetic ankle design may facilitate sloped walking for transfemoral amputees. The aim of the current case-study was to analyse the effects of a rigid vs. a hydraulically articulating ankle component on the biological joint moments of a transfemoral amputee during downhill, uphill and level walking.

Methods: The gait of one unilateral transfemoral amputee, using the same prosthetic foot with rigid and hydraulic ankle components, was analysed and compared to a control group of 18 able-bodied participants. Kinematic and kinetic data were recorded at self-selected walking speed on a sloped ramp with inclinations of -12°, -4° (downhill), 0° (level), +4° and +12° (uphill).

Results: The slope influenced lower limb joint moments similarly in both able-bodied and transfemoral participants. The effect of altering ankle movement through exchanging prosthetic ankle componentry was most acutely seen at the hip joint of the residual limb. The use of a hydraulic ankle joint component resulted in decreased mean hip joint extension and flexion moments of up to 92% and 48% respectively in the residual limb when compared to using the rigid ankle joint component, respectively.

Conclusion: During sloped walking, the use of a hydraulically articulating vs. rigid ankle joint component reduced the joint moments observed at the hip joint of the residual limb in a unilateral transfemoral amputee. This indicates a benefit for transfemoral amputees as the increased ankle function reduces the moment producing requirements of the hip joint which may result in decreased energy consumption and subsequently, a more efficient gait.

Item Type:

Journal article

Alternative Title:

Joint moments during sloped walking of a transfemoral amputee [short title]

Publication Title:

Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics

Creators:

Alexander, N., Strutzenberger, G., Kroell, J., Barnett, C.T. and Schwameder, H.

Publisher:

Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Date:

January 2018