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Updated: Feb 7, 2026
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Bioelectric Analyses of an Osseointegrated Intelligent Implant Design System for Amputees
Published on: July 15, 2009
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Muscle Function and Coordination of Amputee Stair Ascent
Nicole Harper1, Jason Wilken2, Richard Neptune1
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 204 E. Dean Keeton Street, Stop C2200, Austin, TX 78712.
Journal of Biomechanical Engineering
|July 21, 2018
Summary
Stair ascent is difficult after transtibial amputation. This study found that while prostheses offer some propulsion and control, they cannot fully replace lost muscle functions, necessitating targeted rehabilitation.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Prosthetics
- Rehabilitation Engineering
Background:
- Stair ascent is challenging for individuals with transtibial amputation due to lost ankle muscle function.
- Limited understanding of how prosthetic devices and residual muscles interact during stair ascent hinders improvement efforts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a 3D muscle-actuated forward dynamics simulation of amputee stair ascent.
- To identify the specific contributions of individual muscles and passive prostheses to biomechanical subtasks during stair ascent.
Main Methods:
- Developed a three-dimensional muscle-actuated forward dynamics simulation.
- Analyzed the contributions of prosthetic components and residual limb muscles to stair ascent biomechanics.
Main Results:
- The prosthesis provided vertical propulsion and braking, mimicking some non-amputee soleus functions but not gastrocnemius.
- Residual hamstrings and vasti muscles increased forward propulsion to compensate for lost gastrocnemius function.
- The prosthesis aided medial control, similar to the soleus, but not gastrocnemius.
Conclusions:
- Prosthetic designs should aim for enhanced vertical and forward propulsion, lateral control, and leg swing initiation.
- Targeted rehabilitation focusing on compensating for gastrocnemius function may be necessary when using soleus-like prostheses.
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