TY - JOUR
T1 - Comparison of four different categories of prosthetic feet during ramp ambulation in unilateral transtibial amputees
AU - Agrawal, Vibhor
AU - Gailey, Robert S.
AU - Gaunaurd, Ignacio A.
AU - O'Toole, Christopher
AU - Finnieston, Adam
AU - Tolchin, Ronald
N1 - Funding Information:
This material is the result of the work supported with resources and use of the Bruce W Carter Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL, USA. The authors would like to thank Ossur® Americas for their support of this research study and the South Florida Veterans Affairs Foundation for Research and Education, Miami, FL, USA, for administering the research project.
Publisher Copyright:
© International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics 2014.
PY - 2015/10/1
Y1 - 2015/10/1
N2 - Background: Comparative effectiveness of prosthetic feet during ramp ambulation in unilateral transtibial amputees, who function at different Medicare Functional Classification Levels, has not been published. Objective: To determine differences in symmetry in external work between four categories of prosthetic feet in K-Level-2 and K-Level-3 unilateral transtibial amputees during ramp ascent and descent. Study design: Randomized repeated-measures trial. Methods: Ten subjects completed six testing sessions during which symmetry in external work was calculated using F-scan in-sole sensors. Between testing sessions 1 and 2, subjects received standardized functional prosthetic training. In Sessions 3-6, subjects tested four feet - solid ankle cushion heel, stationary attachment flexible endoskeleton, Talux (categories K1, K2, and K3, respectively), and Proprio-Foot (microprocessor ankle) - using a study socket and had a 10- to 14-day accommodation period with each foot. Results: During ramp descent, K-Level-2 subjects demonstrated higher symmetry in external work values with Talux and Proprio-Foot compared to the solid ankle cushion heel foot. K-Level-3 subjects also had higher symmetry in external work values with the Talux foot than the solid ankle cushion heel foot. Ramp ascent symmetry in external work values were not significantly different between feet. Conclusions: Prosthetic foot category appears to influence symmetry in external work more during decline walking than incline walking. K-Level-2 unilateral transtibial amputees achieve greater symmetry from K3 dynamic response prosthetic feet with J-shaped ankle and microprocessor ankles while descending ramps. Clinical relevance The findings suggest that K-Level-2 unilateral transtibial amputees benefit from K3 dynamic response prosthetic feet with J-shaped ankle. These results support the prescription of K3 feet for K-Level-2 amputees who frequently negotiate ramps.
AB - Background: Comparative effectiveness of prosthetic feet during ramp ambulation in unilateral transtibial amputees, who function at different Medicare Functional Classification Levels, has not been published. Objective: To determine differences in symmetry in external work between four categories of prosthetic feet in K-Level-2 and K-Level-3 unilateral transtibial amputees during ramp ascent and descent. Study design: Randomized repeated-measures trial. Methods: Ten subjects completed six testing sessions during which symmetry in external work was calculated using F-scan in-sole sensors. Between testing sessions 1 and 2, subjects received standardized functional prosthetic training. In Sessions 3-6, subjects tested four feet - solid ankle cushion heel, stationary attachment flexible endoskeleton, Talux (categories K1, K2, and K3, respectively), and Proprio-Foot (microprocessor ankle) - using a study socket and had a 10- to 14-day accommodation period with each foot. Results: During ramp descent, K-Level-2 subjects demonstrated higher symmetry in external work values with Talux and Proprio-Foot compared to the solid ankle cushion heel foot. K-Level-3 subjects also had higher symmetry in external work values with the Talux foot than the solid ankle cushion heel foot. Ramp ascent symmetry in external work values were not significantly different between feet. Conclusions: Prosthetic foot category appears to influence symmetry in external work more during decline walking than incline walking. K-Level-2 unilateral transtibial amputees achieve greater symmetry from K3 dynamic response prosthetic feet with J-shaped ankle and microprocessor ankles while descending ramps. Clinical relevance The findings suggest that K-Level-2 unilateral transtibial amputees benefit from K3 dynamic response prosthetic feet with J-shaped ankle. These results support the prescription of K3 feet for K-Level-2 amputees who frequently negotiate ramps.
KW - Biomechanics of prosthetic/orthotic devices
KW - biomechanics
KW - gait
KW - gait analysis
KW - physiotherapy
KW - prosthetic feet
KW - prosthetics
KW - rehabilitation
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84955268417&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84955268417&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/0309364614536762
DO - 10.1177/0309364614536762
M3 - Article
C2 - 24925671
AN - SCOPUS:84955268417
VL - 39
SP - 380
EP - 389
JO - Prosthetics and Orthotics International
JF - Prosthetics and Orthotics International
SN - 0309-3646
IS - 5
ER -