Abstract
Background: Microprocessor-controlled knee joints appeared on the market a decade ago. These joints are more sophisticated and more expensive than mechanical ones. The literature is contradictory regarding changes in gait and balance when using these sophisticated devices. Methods: This study employed a crossover design to assess the comparative performance of a passive mechanical knee prosthesis compared to a microprocessor-controlled knee joint in 15 subjects with an above-knee amputation. Objective measurements of gait and balance were obtained. Results: Subjects demonstrated significantly improved gait characteristics after receiving the microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knee joint (p < 0.01). Improvements in gait were a transition from a hyperextended knee to a flexed knee during loading response which resulted in a change from an internal knee flexor moment to a knee extensor moment. The participants' balance also improved (p < 0.01). All conditions of the Sensory Organization Test (SOT) demonstrated improvements in equilibrium score. The composite score also increased. Conclusions: Transfemoral amputees using a microprocessor-controlled knee have significant improvements in gait and balance.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 489-493 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Gait and Posture |
Volume | 26 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 2007 |
Keywords
- Amputees
- Gait
- Leg prosthesis
- Postural balance
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biophysics
- Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
- Rehabilitation