System for routine assessment of walker-assisted gait.

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Rehabilitation Engineering
• Amputee Mobility

Background:

• Walking frames are crucial assistive devices for lower-limb amputees.
• Understanding the forces exerted on walking frames is vital for optimizing patient support and safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify the three-dimensional forces applied to a standard aluminum walking frame during ambulation in lower-limb amputee subjects.
• To investigate the role of upper extremities in weight support via walking frame interaction.
• To assess the reproducibility and variability of forces during patient ambulation.

Main Methods:

• Instrumented a standard aluminum walking frame with strain gauges to measure forces in three dimensions across all four legs.
• Collected preliminary data from six lower-limb amputee subjects during ambulation.
• Analyzed force amplitude, duration, and timing relative to gait cycle.

Main Results:

• The primary function of the walking frame is to facilitate upper extremity contribution to body weight support.
• Peak vertical forces ranged from 33% to 67% of body weight, typically occurring during the swing phase of the less affected leg.
• Individual patient strides demonstrated high reproducibility, though forces varied significantly between patients.
• Vertical centers of pressure occasionally encroached on the walking frame's base of support, potentially compromising stability.

Conclusions:

• Significant forces are applied to walking frames, underscoring the importance of comprehensive training and evaluation for compromised patients.
• Observed stability issues suggest a need for further analysis of force application to enhance patient safety and walker design.
• Further research is required to fully analyze the magnitude, direction, and application points of forces for improved clinical recommendations.