Improvement in walking efficiency of transtibial amputee using prosthetic leg with multi-axis joint and energy store return ankle

Abstract

Walking gait deviation in majority of people with amputation who use prosthesis is a result of asymmetrical movement, which is occurred between intact leg and prosthetic leg. The importance of this issue is how a prosthetic with multi-axis joint and energy store-return ankle can improve the walking gait. The purpose of this study is to show the improvement of walking efficiency in transtibial amputee. This study uses 14 male transtibial amputees as subjects. The subjects were requested to walk on the flat surface along 10 meters (4 times back and forth) walking track for about 6 minutes (6 minutes walking test) and with normal walking speed for about 1.2 m/s. We set 3 minutes rest when the subject achieving 40m. We also treat nutrient intake as 273 calories for all the subjects. From the test, we collect their walking balance and gait efficiency data as two main parameters for walking efficiency. A crossover design was used for the experiments, which separate the subject into 2 treatment groups and 2 testing periods. The result of comparative test between period (for all subjects and each group), period test and carry over effect test showed no significant differences which means all of the participant are equal and treated equally. For comparative test between treatments within each group, there are significant differences, which means multi-axis joint and energy store-return ankle has an effect to all treatment groups. We conclude that the intervention can encourage amputee to walk into more symmetrical movement with 59.54% in walking balance and 21.29% in gait efficiency, which indicate significant improvement in walking efficiency.