A Study on the Effect of Degree of Freedom of Ankle Motion on Gait of Transfemoral Amputees with SNS Control Prosthesis / 대한정형외과연구학회지

ABSTRACT

Using three different types of the ankle joint, i.e., the fixed, single-axis, and multi axis type, the gait characteristics of transfemoral amputees were investigated to understand the biomechanics of ankle joint motion during gait of transfemoral amputees with a SNS (swing and stance phase) control prosthesis controlling the flexion-extension of knee in the stance phase unlike conventional swing control prostheses. The socket pressure was measured to explain the resulting gait characteristic of the transfemoral amputees for different ankle joint components. Based on the results from the gait characteristics, socket pressure, knee flexion-extension behavior, and ground reaction vector, the fixed type ankle joint could be considered as the most appropriate ankle joint for the transfemoral amputees using the SNS control prosthesis.