Effects of a low-cost prosthetic knee on amputee gait over uneven and even terrains

Limited data are available related to using a low-cost prosthetic knee while walking. To address this gap, this study compared the performance of a low-cost prosthetic knee with 2 more advanced prosthetic knees while walking on even and uneven terrains. Two adult subjects with above-knee amputations completed walking trials using a low-cost prosthetic knee (ReMotion knee) and their personal prosthetic knees (Ottobock 3R60 Pro mechanical knee and Ossur Rheo microprocessor knee) over even and uneven terrains. Several measures of gait performance were obtained including step size, stability, energy expenditure, as well as user perception of ReMotion workload and performance during gait. Effects of the ReMotion knee were different between the mechanical and microprocessor knee user. In addition, subjects perceived the positive aspects associated with the ReMotion knee to be its lightweight feature and their perceived increased in stability during walking while both subjects disliked the inability of the ReMotion knee to adjust to preferred walking speeds. This study provided an understanding of low-cost prosthetic technology among lower-limb amputees compared to prosthetic technology with more technologically advanced assistance. These findings may help guide future low-cost prosthetic knee design considerations for use on various terrains.