Below-knee amputee running gait

The running ability of ten unilateral below-knee amputees was examined by analyzing the temporal and length characteristics of their running strides and the angular displacement patterns of their intact and prosthetic limbs. Six of the individuals tested were able to run and in several cases their locomotor patterns were similar to those of non-amputees. The running gait of three of the amputee runners, however, did contain one particular undesirable element namely an excessively straight residual knee during at least a portion of support on the prosthesis. Although several explanations could be postulated to account for this tendency, we believe that it could be eliminated with training and possible prosthetic modification. Results of the study, while attesting to the fact that many lower extremity amputees can run, also suggested directions in which research efforts can and are being focused to facilitate their running performance.