Stability of walking frames (original) (raw)

1996, Journal of rehabilitation research and development

Biomechanical tools were used to assess stability for 11 patients who, following the surgical amputation of one lower limb, required the assistance of a walking frame to ambulate. The Walker Tipping Index (WTI), as derived from the forces applied to the walking frame, was developed specifically for this study to examine the relationship between stability and walking frame height during ambulation. However, the WTI may be useful as a criterion of stability to assist clinicians in their evaluation of walker use in a variety of patient populations. Walker stability was examined as subjects, wearing their prostheses, completed 30-sec walking trials in each of the normal, high, and low walking frame height conditions. Adjusting the height of the walker to one setting (3 cm) above or below normal appears to redistribute the load of walking between the upper and lower extremities without adversely affecting stability.

Can external lateral stabilization reduce the energy cost of walking in persons with a lower limb amputation?

Gait & posture, 2014

The aim of this study was to examine whether impaired balance control is partly responsible for the increased energy cost of walking in persons with a lower limb amputation (LLA). Previous studies used external lateral stabilization to evaluate the energy cost for balance control; this caused a decrease in energy cost, with concomitant decreases in mean and variability of step width. Using a similar set-up, we expected larger decreases for LLA than able-bodied controls. Fifteen transtibial amputees (TT), 12 transfemoral amputees (TF), and 15 able-bodied controls (CO) walked with and without external lateral stabilization provided via spring like cords attached to the waist. Effects of this manipulation on energy cost, step parameters, and pelvic motion were evaluated between groups. TT (-5%) and CO (-3%) showed on average a small reduction in energy cost when walking with stabilization, whereas TF exhibited an increase in energy cost (+6.5%) The difference in the effect of stabiliza...

Gait patterns in transtibial amputee fallers vs. non-fallers: Biomechanical differences during level walking

Gait & Posture, 2009

Transtibial amputees are at an increased risk of falling compared to age-matched, able-bodied individuals. The aim of this study was to compare the gait patterns of recent amputee fallers vs. non-fallers during level walking by investigating joint kinematics, kinetics and variability of temporal–spatial parameters. Eleven participants (fallers = 6; non-fallers = 5) walked along a 10-m walkway at their self-selected pace while three-dimensional kinematic and kinetic data were collected. The fallers had a significantly greater first peak vertical GRF (p = 0.01) and load rate on the prosthetic limb than the non-fallers (p = 0.03). Joint range of motion was similar between the two groups. Joint moment profiles were similar for the ankle and hip, with more noticeable differences at the knee. On the intact limb, the fallers also showed significantly smaller A1 and larger H2 power bursts and greater variability of swing time duration compared to the non-fallers. The non-fallers had a smaller load rate and knee moment that remained extensor suggesting they could make compensatory adjustments to maintain stability on the prosthetic side by modifying muscular demands of the knee extensors. This research suggests that falls prevention and prosthetic rehabilitation programmes should focus on improving knee muscle strength of the prosthetic limb, and eccentric ankle and hip strength of the intact limb, to improve stability and progression, particularly during weight transfer onto single support of the prosthetic limb.

Static versus dynamic prosthetic weight bearing in elderly trans-tibial amputees

Prosthetics & Orthotics International, 1997

The purpose of this study was to compare prosthetic weight-bearing tolerance in the standing position to the dynamic vertical ground reaction forces (VGRF) experienced during walking in elderly dysvascular trans-tibial amputees. Ten unilateral trans-tibial amputees attending an amputee clinic (mean age =67±6.5 years) were selected as subjects. Selection criteria were the level of amputation, age, medical fitness to participate and informed consent. Each participant completed five trials of standing (static) weight bearing measurement followed by 10 walking (dynamic) trials on a 10m level walkway, five trials for each limb. Static weight bearing (SWB) was measured using standard bathroom scales. Dynamic weight bearing (DWB) was measured during gait using a Kistler multichannel force platform. T-tests for dependent means indicated that the forces borne in prosthetic single limb stance (mean=0.97±0.03 times body weight (BW)) were significantly lower than the forces borne by the prosthe...

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