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Performance specification for lower limb orthotic devices.
G R Johnson1, M Ferrarin, M Harrington
1Centre for Rehabilitation and Engineering Studies, University of Newcastle, Newcastle NE1 7RU, UK.
Clinical Biomechanics (Bristol, Avon)
|August 4, 2004
Summary
This study quantifies forces on lower limb orthoses during walking, finding median maximum normalized ankle moments of 0.15 and knee/hip moments of 0.09. Gait analysis effectively estimates orthotic loads without transducers.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Orthotics and Prosthetics
- Rehabilitation Engineering
Background:
- Orthotic design traditionally relies on evolution, lacking formal engineering principles.
- Limited data on forces and moments during ambulation hinders advanced orthotic design.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the range of forces and moments applied to lower limb orthoses during routine ambulation.
- To establish a baseline for engineering-driven orthotic development.
Main Methods:
- Utilized established gait analysis techniques to measure joint loading in 164 patients across four European labs.
- Employed in-house biomechanical models to calculate joint moments, normalizing data by patient weight and leg length.
Main Results:
- Median maximum normalized ankle moment transmitted by ankle-foot orthoses was 0.15.
- Maximum normalized knee and hip moments for hip-knee-ankle-foot orthoses were 0.09.
- Significant data variability observed, attributed to diverse patient impairments.
Conclusions:
- Established gait analysis procedures can estimate orthotic loads without requiring load measurement transducers.
- Future research should focus on expanding datasets and conducting validation studies with transducers.