Article

How does the inherent asymmetry of the locomotor system in people with lower-limb
amputation affect the ankle-foot roll-over shape of prosthetic walking? In a
single-case design, we evaluated the walking patterns of six people with
lower-limb amputation (3 transtibial and 3 transfemoral) and three matched
nondisabled controls. We analyzed the walking patterns in terms of roll-over
characteristics and spatial and temporal factors. We determined the level of
asymmetry by roll-over shape comparison (root-mean-square distance) as well as
differences in radius of curvature. In addition, we calculated ratios to
determine spatial and temporal asymmetries and described different aspects of
asymmetry of roll-over shapes. All participants showed some level of asymmetry in
roll-over shape, even the nondisabled controls. Furthermore, we found good
intralimb reproducibility for the group as a whole. With respect to spatial and
temporal factors, the participants with transtibial amputation had a quite
symmetrical gait pattern, while the gait in the participants with transfemoral
amputation was more asymmetrical. The individual ankle-foot roll-over shapes
provide additional insight into the marked individual adjustments occurring
during the stance phase of the nondisabled limb. The two methods we present are
suitable for determining asymmetry of roll-over shapes; both methods should be
used complementarily.

Langue : ANGLAIS