Article

A symmetrical gait affords the most efficient walking pattern. Bionic
prostheses should provide better gait symmetry than mechanically passive
prostheses with respect to a nonpathological gait. OBJECTIVES: To compare the
basic temporal-spatial parameters of gait in transfemoral amputees fitted with
bionic or mechanically passive prosthetic knees with those of subjects with a
nonpathological gait. STUDY DESIGN: Three-dimensional gait analysis using an
optoelectronic device. METHODS: Eight transfemoral amputees participated in the
study. Subjects walked across two dynamometric platforms a total of 15 times.
Movement kinematics were measured using optoelectronic stereophotogrammetry.
RESULTS: The swing time of the affected limb in patients fitted with a
mechanically passive knee joint was longer than that of the nonaffected limb by
0.055 s (effect size = 1.57). Compared with the control group, the swing time of
the prosthetic limb in patients fitted with a mechanically passive knee was
longer by 0.042 s (effect size = 2.1). Similarly, the stance time of the
nonaffected limb was longer by 0.047 s (effect size = 1.07). CONCLUSIONS:
Compared with a mechanically passive knee joint, a bionic knee joint evinced gait
symmetry. Both the stance time and the swing time for amputees with a bionic knee
were similar to those of nonamputees. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Prosthetists aim to
design prostheses that achieve a good symmetry between the healthy and affected
limbs. The use of bionic technology achieves a level of symmetry approaching that
observed in nonamputees.
CI - (c) The International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics 2013.

Langue : ANGLAIS