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Experimental study of prosthesis modifications based on passive dynamic walking model: A limit cycle stability
Vahideh Moradi1, Mohammad Ali Sanjari2, Hassan Saeedi1
1Department of Orthotics and Prosthetics, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Journal of Biomechanics
|April 5, 2020
Summary
Modifying prosthetic limbs based on passive dynamic walking (PDW) principles did not improve gait stability or symmetry in transfemoral amputees. These findings suggest PDW models need further adaptation for real-world prosthetic applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Prosthetics and Orthotics
- Gait Analysis
Background:
- Transfemoral amputees often experience altered gait dynamics and reduced stability.
- Passive Dynamic Walking (PDW) models offer theoretical insights into optimizing prosthetic limb mechanics.
- Current prosthetic designs may not fully translate PDW principles into improved real-world performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of asymmetric prosthesis modifications, derived from PDW concepts, on dynamic stability and gait symmetry in unilateral transfemoral amputees.
- To evaluate whether altering prosthetic knee joint position and mass distribution influences gait parameters.
Main Methods:
- Seventeen unilateral transfemoral amputees participated, walking at preferred speeds under four prosthetic configurations.
- Prosthetic modifications included knee joint relocation and altered thigh/shank mass distribution.
- Trunk accelerations were measured using an accelerometer at the L3 level to assess dynamic stability (orbital and local) and gait variability/symmetry (step length and time).
Main Results:
- No significant improvements were observed in orbital stability (P=0.627) or local stability (P=0.748) across the tested prosthetic configurations.
- Gait parameters including step length and step time symmetry, and intra-limb variability, showed no significant differences (P>0.234).
- Empirical results contradicted modeling predictions regarding enhanced gait performance.
Conclusions:
- Manipulating physical parameters of transfemoral prosthetics based on PDW concepts did not enhance gait stability, variability, or symmetry in amputees.
- The direct application of PDW modeling principles to real-world prosthetic design requires further refinement and consideration of human biomechanical complexities.
