Normative ground reaction force data for able-bodied and below-knee-amputee children during walking

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Pediatric Gait Analysis
• Prosthetic Limb Function

Background:

• Understanding normative ground reaction forces is crucial for assessing gait in children.
• Below-knee amputation (BKA) significantly impacts gait mechanics, necessitating comparative studies.
• Existing research often lacks comprehensive data on pediatric BKA gait patterns.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish normative ground reaction force (GRF) data for able-bodied (AB) and below-knee-amputee (BKA) children during walking.
• To compare gait parameters between prosthetic and nonprosthetic limbs in BKA children.
• To identify asymmetries in gait patterns among BKA children.

Main Methods:

• Collected ground reaction force data from 22 BKA and 225 AB children using force platforms.
• Analyzed average normalized force-time curves for subjective gait comparisons.
• Determined discrete GRF variables for statistical analysis of gait parameters.

Main Results:

• Able-bodied children demonstrated symmetrical gait with no significant differences based on leg, gender, or age.
• Below-knee-amputee children exhibited asymmetrical gait patterns.
• The nonprosthetic limb in BKA children played a dominant role, showing increased loading rate, magnitude, impulse, and time of loading compared to prosthetic limbs and AB children's limbs.

Conclusions:

• Below-knee amputation leads to significant gait asymmetry in children.
• The nonprosthetic limb compensates for the prosthetic limb, resulting in altered loading characteristics.
• Normative GRF data are essential for evaluating and managing gait deviations in pediatric amputees.