Article

High rates of osteoarthritis of the knee joint of the intact limb in
persons with amputation have raised concern about the long-term consequence of
running. The purpose of this intervention was to determine if loading of the knee
on the intact limb of a person with transtibial amputation during running could
be decreased by changing the intact limb initial ground contact from rear foot to
forefoot strike. Case Description and Methods: This study compared kinematic,
kinetic and temporal-spatial data collected while a 27-year-old male, who
sustained a traumatic unilateral transtibial amputation of the left lower
extremity, ran using a forefoot ground contact and again while using a heel first
ground contact. Findings and Outcomes: Changing initial ground contact from rear
foot strike to forefoot strike resulted in decreases in vertical ground reaction
forces at impact, peak knee moments in stance, peak knee powers, and improved
symmetry in step length. Conclusion: This case suggests forefoot initial contact
of the intact limb may minimize loading of the knee on the intact limb in
individuals with transtibial amputation. Clinical relevance Individuals with
transtibial amputation may decrease their already elevated risk for
osteoarthritis by decreasing the loading forces on the knee of the intact limb
when running with a forefoot ground contact.

Langue : ANGLAIS