Gait Characteristics of People with Hallux and Forefoot Amputations-A Case Series

Background/Objectives: Minor amputations are increasingly relevant due to a growing proportion of lower limb amputations but remain underrepresented in research. These amputations impair mobility due to altered gait, and biomimetic devices could potentially address this issue. Fundamental research is needed to better understand this pathological gait pattern. The aim of this study is to analyse the holistic gait characteristics of the lower extremity during barefoot walking in individuals with different levels of minor amputations for the first time. Methods: Eight young to middle-aged subjects with minor foot amputations (four × hallux; four × forefoot) underwent instrumented gait analysis. Kinematic and kinetic data were acquired barefoot at self-selected gait speeds. Individual gait characteristics were considered relative to the physiological gait represented by the 95% confidence interval of ten unimpaired volunteers. Results: Subjects with a minor amputation show reduced walking speed and shorter stride length compared to controls. Sagittal ankle moment and ankle power are lower, with greater deficits in subjects with a forefoot amputation. Proximal joints also show variability, notably reduced knee flexion in subjects with a forefoot amputation and a more flexed hip profile in six subjects. Single-subject frontal plane kinetics also vary. Conclusions: Although the subjects with a hallux amputation exhibit smaller deviations in ankle kinetics than the subjects with a forefoot amputation, proximal joint abnormalities are present across cases. These findings highlight the need for a broad range of care to adequately address individual needs.