TRUNK BIOMECHANICS OF TRANSTIBIAL AMPUTEES IN LEVEL AND SLOPED GAIT USING RIGID, HYDRAULIC AND MICROPROCESSOR CONTROLLED ANKLES

Authors

Thede Preiser, Institute of Biomechanics and Orthopaedics, German Sport University Cologne, Germany
Cleveland Barnett, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, UK
Hermann Schwameder, Department of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Salzburg, Austria
Gerda Strutzenberger, Department of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Salzburg, AustriaFollow

Category

Rehabilitation

Document Type

Paper

Abstract

Compensational gait mechanisms, as an increased mediolateral trunk lean, are associated with the development of lower back pain, which is common among individuals with transtibial amputation (TTA). Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate if different prosthetic ankle devices influence mediolateral trunk angles during gait in TTA. Six TTA and six controls walked in the level and on a positive and negative 5° inclined instrumented ramp using a rigid (RIG), a hydraulic (HYD) and a microprocessor (MPC) ankle component (Chas A Blatchford and Sons, Basingstoke, UK). Prosthetic design did not significantly affect the mediolateral trunk lean in any of the three slope conditions. Therefore, the different prosthetic ankle devices seem to play a minor role for mediolateral trunk lean adaptations. Their potential to reduce lower back pain needs further investigation.

Recommended Citation

Preiser, Thede; Barnett, Cleveland; Schwameder, Hermann; and Strutzenberger, Gerda (2021) "TRUNK BIOMECHANICS OF TRANSTIBIAL AMPUTEES IN LEVEL AND SLOPED GAIT USING RIGID, HYDRAULIC AND MICROPROCESSOR CONTROLLED ANKLES," ISBS Proceedings Archive: Vol. 39: Iss. 1, Article 7.
Available at: https://commons.nmu.edu/isbs/vol39/iss1/7