PMID: 12451310

Issn Print: 0342-5282

Publication Date: 2002/12/01


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A comparative study of different below-knee prostheses by dynamic foot pressure analysis

MEIR NYSKA; SHAY SHABAT; ARIAN ARYA; CHRIS McCABE; KEITH LINGE; LESLIE KLENERMAN

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Excerpt

The altered gait in below-knee amputees has been explored in terms of kinematic and kinetic parameters of walking (Waters et al., 1976; Skinner and Effeney, 1985). Most studies analysing the forces generated by the foot during stance in amputees have used the Kistler force plate (Gitter et al., 1991).
The development of foot-pressure-measuring systems enables comparisons between normal and pathological conditions of the foot (Alexander et al., 1990). The multiple transducer pressure plate makes it possible to analyse the foot as a whole and to compare several different areas within the foot. The main parameters that can be measured and compared in every area of interest are contact area, maximal force, peak pressures and duration of contact time.
In order to evaluate accurately the walking of an amputee and to design the best prosthesis one should consider the foot function during the stance phase. The prosthesis that most closely imitates the normal foot is to be preferred.
In our study we measured the plantar pressure distribution of the stance phase of below-knee amputees. The aim of the experiment was to compare three prostheses, the Solid Ankle Cushion Heel (SACH), the energy-storing Seattle prosthesis and one which is more prevalent in Eastern countries, the Indian Jaipur prosthesis. We used a platform type of plantar pressure measurement system to differentiate between the different types of prostheses.
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