The Mauch hydraulic knee unit for above knee amputation

Hydraulic knee units provide a mechanical means of simulating normal gait in the above knee amputee. Sixty-one above the knee amputees were fitted with 70 Mauch SNS hydraulic knee units. Four of 60 patients rejected or were unable to use the hydraulic knee. Only one patient rejected the hydraulic knee unit for another design. Therefore, the rate of acceptance of the prosthesis was 93%. If inappropriate prescriptions for two triple amputees are omitted, the acceptance rate rises to 97%. A significant majority of patients stated that the hydraulic knee unit gave them a smoother gait, ability to change cadence, increased activity level, increased stability in stance phase, fewer falls, and less fatigue.