Biomechanical Consideration Based on the Unrestrained Gait Measurement in Trans-Femoral Amputee with a Prosthetic Limb

Abstract

Trans-femoral amputees are needed to regain moving pattern by refined rehabilitation program using load conditions on a prosthetic limb with the artificial knee joint. On the other hand, understanding loads applied on a prosthetic limb is important for biomechanical consideration of trans-femoral amputees. However, conventional prosthetic gait training systems cannot measure long continuous walking motions under an outdoor environment. In this paper, loads applied on the intermediate part of trans-femoral prosthesis are measured by the prosthetic gait training system for the unrestrained gait measurement. As a result of the experiments, the patterns of moments about the medio-lateral axis along a gait cycle are remarkably different among the six activities. Finally, the effectiveness of the developed prosthetic gait training system is validated and the understanding of biomechanics in trans-femoral prosthesis during gait is increased. Loading data will be useful to refine the rehabilitation protocol for trans-femoral amputees with a prosthetic limb.