Spatio temporal parameters and symmetry in subjects ascending and descending a ramp, using three different prosthetic feet

RIVERAS, MAURICIO; RAVERA, EMILIANO PABLO; SHAHEEN, ALIAH; CATALFAMO FORMENTO, PAOLA ANDREA

JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

KOREAN SOC MECHANICAL ENGINEERS

Año: 2020

1738-494X

This study aimed at evaluating spatiotemporal parameters (STP) and symmetry index (SI), commonly used for evaluating amputee gait for routine clinical use, in individuals with unilateral transtibial amputations wearing energy storage and return (ESAR) feet with fixed ankles, prosthetic feet with adaptive ankles (PFAA) and prosthetic feet with microcontrolled adaptive ankles (PFAA-MC) in ramp ascent and descent. Thirteen individuals with transtibial amputations walked on a ramp. The STPs were measured in the amputated and intact legs and the relationship between them was quantified using the SI. The results showed that the use of a PFAA-MC decreases walking speed in ramp descent (P ≤ 0.018). None of the others measured parameters and symmetry indices showed statistically significant differences. From these results, it is possibly to conclude that although the parameters measured in this study are those commonly used for evaluating and characterizing amputee gait, they may not reflect differences when evaluating different prostheses.