Abstract
BackgroundOnly few studies have looked at electromyography (EMG) during prosthetic gait. Differences in EMG between normal and prosthetic gait for stance and swing phase were never separately analyzed. These differences can give valuable information if and how muscle activity changes in prosthetic gait.MethodsIn this study EMG activity during gait of the upper leg muscles of six transfemoral amputees, measured inside their own socket, was compared to that of five controls. On and off timings for stance and swing phase were determined together with the level of co-activity and inter-subject variability.Results and conclusionsGait phase changes in amputees mainly consisted of an increased double support phase preceding the prosthetic stance phase. For the subsequent (pre) swing phase the main differences were found in muscle activity patterns of the prosthetic limb, more muscles were active during this phase and/or with prolonged duration. The overall inter-subject variability was larger in amputees compared to controls.
Highlights
Few studies have looked at electromyography (EMG) during prosthetic gait
In the current study we focus on muscle activity during the stance and swing phase of prosthetic gait
For amputees the relative duration of the stance phase of intact limb, the prosthetic swing phase and the double support phase before the prosthetic single stance phase are significantly increased compared to controls
Summary
Differences in EMG between normal and prosthetic gait for stance and swing phase were never separately analyzed. These differences can give valuable information if and how muscle activity changes in prosthetic gait. During rehabilitation transfemoral amputees learn to adapt their gait pattern to walk with a prosthesis. Several of these adaptations are already known. During gait the stance phase of the amputated limb shortens compared to that of the intact limb. The double support phase elongates when the amputated limb becomes the stance limb and shortens when the intact limb becomes the stance limb [1,2]. To facilitate forward propulsion they increase the work by the hip joint at the prosthetic and intact side
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