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Background: Adequate research is not reported so far to underline the influence of commonly used polycentric knee joints on gait performance of subjects with trans-femoral amputation. Objective: The intent of this investigation is to analyze prosthetic gait of unilateral traumatic trans-femoral amputees with polycentric four-bar linkage knee and compare it with normal subjects for evaluating any asymmetry in gait performance. Methods: Objective three-dimensional gait analysis of 15 subjects [mean (age): 36.4 (10.7) years] were performed in gait lab through force plate and optoelectronic devices to measure temporal-spatial parameters, kinematic and kinetic performances. Gait patterns of amputees were compared with those of 15 individuals with normal gait to analyze distinct functionalities of existing polycentric knee. Results: Asymmetry in gait was observed between amputees and normal subjects for all variables concerned ([Formula: see text]). Amputee gait was with significantly lesser velocity, cadence with shorter step and stride length. There was significantly less hip, knee and pelvic motions, however, pelvic obliquity and rotation did not show significant difference from the normal subjects. The vertical component of the ground reaction force differed significantly between prosthetic and intact limb [49.7 (8.5)% and 90.4 (7.4)% body weight] and also from normal subjects [107.5 (2.4)% body weight] during stance ([Formula: see text]). Interpretation and Conclusion: This difference may be attributed to nonproportionate loading of limbs and mechanical adaptations for counteracting deficiencies of prosthetic side. This study will help to explain gait asymmetry in trans-femoral amputees and to identify underlying mechanisms to enhance the quality of the existing design of prosthetic knee through optimizing design parameters and utilizing appropriate materials.

Evaluation of single and double limb support postural balance in patients with Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)injury and comparison of the postural strategy adopted after ACL injury/deficiency(ACLD) with that of an age-matched healthy individual. Methods: The study group that included 33 subjects confirming inclusion criteria had undergone postural balance assessment using the HUMAC Balance system. The parameters of the center of pressure excursion were recorded on a force plate and compared with age, BMI matched 66 healthy volunteers of control group. The center of pressure excursions was monitored using dependable variables such as sway path length(cm), the average velocity of sway(cm/sec), and the mean COP stability score(%). The mobility component was recorded as the percentage (%) of time spent on each target. Result: A decrease in postural balance in the injury group was evidenced by a statistically significant decrease of stability score(p ¼ 0.015), increase in path length(p ¼ 0.002) and decrease on time on target mean score (p¼ <0.001),. Although, the stability score path length and average sway velocity scores in the sound limb of the ACLD group showed impaired balance, the differences were not statistically significant (p ¼ 0.180, p ¼ 0.561, and p ¼ 0.639 respectively) when compared with the dominant limb of the control group. Conclusion: HUMAC balance system is an effective and simplified measure for quantifying postural balance. Although overall postural stability in ACL injury is impaired, static postural balance is maintained by the compensatory of strategy of sound limb. However, the quantitative parameters of postural stability for the sound limb, despite of a lower mean value, did not show statistically significant differences from the dominant limb of the controlled group.

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Ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) are usually used for patients with hemiplegic foot drop after stroke to provide support in walking. While the literature provides important information on the beneficial effect of the AFOs, there is still a need for more data describing the impact of different designs of AFOs on gait of subjects during rehabilitation phase after stroke. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical efficacy of two designs of AFOs (Solid and Hinged) on specific gait parameters, kinematics and kinetics during gait by subjects with hemiplegic foot drop after stroke. Thirty subjects with hemiplegic foot drop after stroke participated in this study. Comparison of gait pattern was performed in barefoot, solid and hinged AFO walking conditions. Temporal-spatial, kinematic and kinetic data were collected using force platform (version BTS P-6000, Italy) and six high definition optoelectronic cameras with reflective markers (BTS SMART-DX 6000, Italy) in gait and motion analysis lab. Though subjects walked faster, with a higher cadence and step lengths, when using solid AFO as compared to hinged AFO, the difference was non-significant (> 0.05). Significant difference was observed between gait parameters, kinematics and kinetics of either ankle foot orthosiss compared to barefoot (P < 0.05). Significant difference was observed between two AFOs in mean increase in dorsiflexion at initial contact, peak ankle dorsiflexion during stance, ankle power at push off and peak vertical ground reaction. These findings suggest that, compared to barefoot an AFO yields better gait and thus more effectively manage footdrop, however difference between uses of its variants has almost no impact. Further research to explore the potential utility of these designs of AFOs is indicated.