The Effect of a Talux Prosthetic Foot on Gait Parameters and Limb Loading of Nonvascular Transtibial Amputees
By Supan, Terry; Lebiedowska, Maria; Dodson, Robert; Verhulst, Steven; Dufour, Michelle; Journal of Prosthetics & Orthotics, Vol. 22, No. 1, pp. 43-52Publication Date: January 2010
Study aimed to determine the similarities in gait parameters between the prosthetic and nondisabled sides in nonvascular transtibial wearers of the Talux prosthetic foot, and to gauge how much change in heel height can be accommodated by the prosthesis. Participants were 7 male and 3 female nonvascular, unilateral, transtibial amputees between 34 and 62 years of age. Spatial and temporal gait parameters, hip, knee, and ankle kinematics, and knee kinetics on the prosthetic versus nondisabled side were compared, as were the parameters when participants were walking with bilateral 12 millimeter and 24 millimeter heel lifts. Similarities were found between the prosthetic and nondisabled sides of participants in the majority of the gait parameters except for (1) longer step length and shorter step time, (2) more extended knee at initial and mid stance, and (3) larger range of knee motion in swing phase of walking, all on the prosthetic side. The vertical ground reaction forces were only 10 percent higher on the prosthetic side. The change in the heel height from 0 to 24 millimeters was accommodated for most of the parameters except for the increased knee flexion at initial and mid stance on the prosthetic side without any effect on the contralateral side. The major differences between the Talux and the nondisabled side were only found during swing phase when there was no interaction between the prosthetic foot and the ground. Based on these data, the authors conclude that the dynamic properties of the Talux foot appear to mimic the properties of the anatomical foot.
Published by: Lippincott, Williams, & Wilkins (Website:http://www.lww.com)
