RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To quantify characteristic gait pattern in below-knee amputees using kinematic and kinetic parameters and to compare those with sound limbs and control group. METHOD: Three dimensional gait analysis was performed in 19 unilateral below-knee amputees and 20 controls. Measured gait parameters were temporal parameters and kinematic and kinetic parameters at hip, knee and ankle joints. Gait parameters obtained from amputated limbs were compared with those of sound limbs and control group. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in temporal parameters among 3 limbs. In amputated limbs, degree of knee flexion and knee extension moment in stance phasewere less than sound limbs and control group. In addition, timing of peak knee extension moment occurred later. Also, timing of ankle plantar flexion in loading response and preswing phase occured later, and degree of ankle plantar flexion in preswing phase were less in amputated limbs compared to other limbs. Peak plantar flexion moment in amputated limbs were less than sound limbs, but not than control group. CONCLUSION: This study suggested that most significant gait abnormalities in unilateral below-knee amputees were observed at the knee and ankle joint in amputated limbs.