Return to search

Attenuation of centre-of-pressure trajectory fluctuations under the prosthetic foot when using an articulating hydraulic ankle attachment compared to fixed attachment

Yes / Background

Disruptions to the progress of the centre-of-pressure trajectory beneath prosthetic feet have been reported previously. These disruptions reflect how body weight is transferred over the prosthetic limb and are governed by the compliance of the prosthetic foot device and its ability to simulate ankle function. This study investigated whether using an articulating hydraulic ankle attachment attenuates centre-of-pressure trajectory fluctuations under the prosthetic foot compared to a fixed attachment.

Methods

Twenty active unilateral trans-tibial amputees completed walking trials at their freely-selected, comfortable walking speed using both their habitual foot with either a rigid or elastic articulating attachment and a foot with a hydraulic ankle attachment. Centre-of-pressure displacement and velocity fluctuations beneath the prosthetic foot, prosthetic shank angular velocity during stance, and walking speed were compared between foot conditions.

Findings

Use of the hydraulic device eliminated or reduced the magnitude of posteriorly directed centre-of-pressure displacements, reduced centre-of-pressure velocity variability across single-support, increased mean forward angular velocity of the shank during early stance, and increased freely chosen comfortable walking speed (P ≤ 0.002).

Interpretation

The attenuation of centre-of-pressure trajectory fluctuations when using the hydraulic device indicated bodyweight was transferred onto the prosthetic limb in a smoother, less faltering manner which allowed the centre of mass to translate more quickly over the foot.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:BRADFORD/oai:bradscholars.brad.ac.uk:10454/7488
Date20 December 2012
CreatorsDe Asha, Alan R., Johnson, Louise, Munjal, R., Kulkarni, J., Buckley, John
Source SetsBradford Scholars
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeArticle, Accepted manuscript
Rights© 2013 Elsevier. Reproduced in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy., Unspecified

Page generated in 0.0021 seconds