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Oscillation and Reaction Board Techniques for Estimating Inertial Properties of a Below-knee Prosthesis
Published on: May 8, 2014
Muscle and prosthesis contributions to amputee walking mechanics: a modeling study
Anne K Silverman1, Richard R Neptune
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO 80401, USA. asilverm@mines.edu
Journal of Biomechanics
|July 31, 2012
Summary
Below-knee amputees
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Kinesiology
- Prosthetics
Background:
- Unilateral, below-knee amputees exhibit altered gait mechanics impacting mobility.
- Loss of ankle muscles necessitates compensation by residual muscles or prosthesis for essential walking functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify muscle and prosthesis contributions to below-knee amputee gait mechanics.
- To analyze contributions to body support, forward propulsion, leg-swing initiation, and mediolateral balance.
Main Methods:
- Three-dimensional (3D) forward dynamics simulations were used.
- Simulations compared amputee and non-amputee walking patterns.
Main Results:
- The prosthesis provided body support and contributed to braking and propulsion.
- The prosthesis transferred energy for trunk propulsion, mimicking the soleus muscle.
- Residual muscles (vasti, rectus femoris) adjusted braking; prosthesis did not replace gastrocnemius function for swing initiation.
Conclusions:
- Prosthetic devices offer partial functional replacement for lost ankle muscles in below-knee amputees.
- Understanding these mechanics can inform improved rehabilitation strategies and prosthetic designs for enhanced amputee mobility.
