Running footstrike pattern effect on lower extremity work in an individual with transtibial amputation

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Orthopedics
• Sports Medicine

Background:

• Asymmetrical loading in the intact limb of amputees during running is linked to knee pain and osteoarthritis.
• Footstrike pattern modification is proposed to reduce knee overloading, but its impact on the entire limb is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate how footstrike pattern influences lower extremity joint loading during submaximal running in an individual with transtibial amputation (TTA).

Main Methods:

• A case study comparing joint loading distribution in a male TTA patient running with both rearfoot strike (RFS) and forefoot strike (FFS) patterns.
• Analysis of mechanical work distribution across lower extremity joints.

Main Results:

• Altering footstrike pattern minimally impacts total lower extremity mechanical work.
• Significant shifts in the relative work contribution of individual joints were observed.
• In the intact limb, forefoot strike (FFS) increased ankle power absorption, whereas rearfoot strike (RFS) increased knee joint involvement.

Conclusions:

• Footstrike pattern significantly affects lower extremity joint-level loading distribution in individuals with TTA.
• Adopting a forefoot strike (FFS) may help alleviate knee overloading.
• A rearfoot strike (RFS) pattern might reduce loading at the ankle in TTA runners.