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Postural sway and active balance performance in highly active lower-limb amputees
John G Buckley1, Dan O'Driscoll, Simon J Bennett
1Department of Exercise and Sport Science, Manchester Metropolitan University, Hassall Road, Alsager, Stoke-on-Trent ST7 2HL, Manchester, UK.
American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
|January 25, 2002
Summary
Active lower-limb amputees exhibit poorer static and dynamic balance compared to able-bodied individuals. They struggle more with anteroposterior balance control, emphasizing the ankle's role in sagittal plane movements.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Rehabilitation Science
- Human Movement Analysis
Background:
- Maintaining balance is crucial for daily activities.
- Lower-limb amputees often face challenges in postural control.
- Understanding balance deficits is key to improving prosthetic design and rehabilitation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the balance performance of active lower-limb amputees.
- To compare amputees' balance during quiet standing and dynamic conditions against able-bodied controls.
Main Methods:
- Assessed center-of-pressure (COP) excursions during quiet standing.
- Utilized a single-axis stabilimeter for dynamic balance testing.
- Tested unilateral lower-limb amputees and able-bodied controls under various conditions (anteroposterior, mediolateral, vision occluded).
Main Results:
- Amputees demonstrated significantly greater COP excursions in both mediolateral and anteroposterior directions.
- Amputees showed significantly less time in balance compared to controls across all stabilimeter tests.
- Amputees experienced greater difficulty controlling dynamic balance in the anteroposterior plane.
Conclusions:
- Lower-limb amputees have impaired static and dynamic balance.
- Anteroposterior balance control is more problematic for amputees than mediolateral control.
- The ankle joint plays a critical role in maintaining balance during sagittal plane body movements.