%0 Journal Article
%T The influence of a microprocessor-controlled hydraulic ankle on the kinetic symmetry of trans-tibial amputees during ramp walking: A case series.
%A McGrath M
%A Laszczak P
%A Zahedi S
%A Moser D
%J J Rehabil Assist Technol Eng
%V 5
%N 0
%D Jan-Dec 2018
%M 31191949
暂无%R 10.1177/2055668318790650
%X <B>UNASSIGNED: </B>Asymmetrical limb loading is believed to cause health problems for lower limb amputees and is exacerbated when walking on slopes. Hydraulically damped ankle-feet improve ground compliance on slopes compared to conventional prosthetic feet. Microprocessor-controlled hydraulic ankle-feet provide further adaptation by dynamically adjusting viscoelastic damping properties.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>Using a case series design, gait analysis was performed with four trans-tibial amputees. There were two walking conditions (ramp ascent and descent) and two prosthetic foot conditions (microprocessor-control on and off - MPF-on and MPF-off). Total support moment integral ( M I sup    ) and degree-of-asymmetry were compared across foot conditions.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>During ramp descent, the transition of prosthetic ankle moment from dorsiflexion to plantarflexion occurred earlier in stance phase with MPF-on, slowing the angular velocity of the shank. During ramp ascent, the MPF-on dorsiflexion/plantarflexion moment transition occurred later, meaning less resistance to shank rotation in early stance and increasing walking speed by up to 6%. For both slope conditions, sound limb M I sup    was universally decreased with MPF-on (4-13% descent, 3-11% ascent).<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>Microprocessor-control of hydraulic ankle-feet reduced the total loading of the sound limb joints, for both walking conditions, for all participants. This may have beneficial consequences for long-term joint health and walking efficiency.