Abstract
Background: The development of new technologies has led to further improvements in prosthetic knee joints. Objective: The aim of this study was to compare angle parameters in knee and hip joints during the gait of transfemoral amputees and to determine the effect of the type of knee joint used on their symmetry. The study also compared pelvic movements in transfemoral amputees using different types of knee joints. Method: Eleven patients (5 female, 6 male, mean age 39.2 ± 10.1 years, height 171.8 ± 9.5 cm, mass 71.5 ± 11.0 kg) with a transfemoral amputation (5 used bionic knee, 6 used hydraulic knee) participated in this study. The control group consisted of 10 individuals with no locomotion-related problems (2 female, 8 male). Results: Movement was more symmetrical in the hip joint for all monitored parameters in patients with bionic knee joints. Flexion at heel contact and maximum flexion in the swing phase in the knee joint were more symmetrical in the group with hydraulic knee joints; for all other parameters the group with bionic knee joints achieved better symmetry. The kinematics of pelvic movement in the patients using hydraulic knee joints differed from the control group in all monitored parameters. The greatest difference with excellent effect size (ES = 7.96) was found in pelvic tilt. Pelvic tilt was higher when using hydraulic knee joints. Conclusion: In comparison with the mechanically passive knee joint, gait with the bionic knee joint evinced gait symmetry.
Highlights
200 to 500/million major amputations are perfomed globally every year (Dormandy, Heeck, & Vig, 1999), of which 85% are performed on lower limbs (Kishner, 2013)
There is a difference with excellent effect (ES = 5.09; p = .01) in comparison with the control group for the maximum extension in the stance phase (HE) on intact limbs
Significant differences with large effect between the control group and patients with hydraulic knee joints exist for maximum flexion (HF) on affected limbs during the swing phase (ES = 1.48; p = .04) and for maximum external rotation (HER) in the swing phase on intact limbs (ES = 1.81; p = .04) (Table 1)
Summary
200 to 500/million major amputations are perfomed globally every year (Dormandy, Heeck, & Vig, 1999), of which 85% are performed on lower limbs (Kishner, 2013) In view of this fact, it is important to channel increased effort into developing prosthetic technology, without which patients are usually unable to walk. Objective: The aim of this study was to compare angle parameters in knee and hip joints during the gait of transfemoral amputees and to determine the effect of the type of knee joint used on their symmetry. The study compared pelvic movements in transfemoral amputees using different types of knee joints. The kinematics of pelvic movement in the patients using hydraulic knee joints differed from the control group in all monitored parameters. Conclusion: In comparison with the mechanically passive knee joint, gait with the bionic knee joint evinced gait symmetry
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
