Biomechanical Comparison of Novel Adaptive Swing-Phase Control Mechanical Knee Prostheses with 3R60 and 3R15 in Trans-Femoral Amputees.

Background: The knee joint must adapt to the changes in walking speed to stabilize the stance phase and provide fluency in the swing phase.

Objective: This study aimed to report a comparison of the gait patterns of transfemoral amputees using a novel mechanical prosthetic knee that can adapt automatically to different walking speeds with 3R60 and 3R15 knee prostheses.

Material And Methods: In this experimental study, biomechanical data were collected from six unilateral trans-femoral amputees walking with three knee prostheses.

Gait and muscle activity measures after biomechanical device therapy in subjects with ankle instability: A systematic review.

Introduction: Health specialists suggest a conservative approach comprising non-pharmacological interventions as the initial course of action for individuals with repetitive ankle sprain due to ankle instability. This systematic review aimed to assess the effectiveness of biomechanical devices (Foot Orthoses, Ankle Orthoses, and Taping) on gait and muscle activity in individuals with ankle instability.

Methods: A systematic search was performed on electronic databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, Clinical Trials.

Assessment of knee flexion in young children with prosthetic knee components using dynamic time warping.

Introduction: Analysis of human locomotion is challenged by limitations in traditional numerical and statistical methods as applied to continuous time-series data. This challenge particularly affects understanding of how close limb prostheses are to mimicking anatomical motion. This study was the first to apply a technique called Dynamic Time Warping to measure the biomimesis of prosthetic knee motion in young children and addressed the following research questions: Is a combined dynamic time warping/root mean square analysis feasible for analyzing pediatric lower limb kinematics? When provided at an earlier age than traditional protocols dictate, can children with limb loss utilize an articulating prosthetic knee in a biomimetic manner?

Methods: Warp costs and amplitude differences were generated for knee flexion curves in a sample of ten children five years of age and younger: five with unilateral limb loss and five age-matched typically developing children.

Comparing Two Orthoses for Managing Medial Knee Osteoarthritis: Lateral Wedge with Subtalar Strap While Barefoot Versus Lateral Wedged Insole Fitted Within Sandal.

Background: Using foot orthoses for managing medial knee osteoarthritis (MKOA) is common, although its effectiveness is in debate. Most orthoses are placed inside the shoe as a lateral wedged insole. Thus, most studies in this area have focused on the effect of insoles used with shoes.

The effect of pre-fabricated insole on plantar pressure distribution in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: Foot deformities result in pain and changes in plantar pressure distribution in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Medical insoles are commonly prescribed for declining pain and modifying foot pressure distribution in these patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a pre-fabricated insole with metatarsal pad and medial longitudinal arch support on plantar pressure distribution in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Design and Preliminary Evaluation of a New Ankle Foot Orthosis on Kinetics and Kinematics parameters for Multiple Sclerosis Patients.

Background: The damage of the central nervous system due to Multiple Sclerosis (MS) leads to many walking disorders in this population. However, current ankle-foot orthoses prescribed for improving walking disorders for these patients are not clinically cost-efficient.

Objective: This study aimed to design and fabricate a dynamic ankle foot orthosis and a new spring-damper joint mechanism that could adapt the walking problems of MS patients and evaluate the immediate effect of the new orthosis on the speed, range of motion, moment, total work and ground reaction force during walking.

Walking kinematics in young children with limb loss using early versus traditional prosthetic knee prescription protocols.

The traditional treatment protocol for young children with congenital or acquired amputations at or proximal to the knee prescribes a prosthesis without a working knee joint, based in part on the assumption that a child learning to walk cannot properly utilize a passively flexing prosthetic knee component. An alternative to this Traditional Knee (TK) protocol is an "Early Knee" (EK) protocol, which prescribes an articulating prosthetic knee in the child's first prosthesis, during development of crawling and transitioning into and out of upright positions. To date, no study has compared samples of children with limb loss at or proximal to the knee using TK and EK protocols.

Walking and balance in children and adolescents with lower-limb amputation: A review of literature.

Background: Children with lower limb loss face gait and balance limitations. Prosthetic rehabilitation is thus aimed at improving functional capacity and mobility throughout the developmental phases of the child amputee. This review of literature was conducted to determine the characteristics of prosthetic gait and balance among children and adolescents with lower-limb amputation or other limb loss.

Effect of Different Placement of Heel Rockers on Lower-Limb Joint Biomechanics in Healthy Individuals.

Background: Rocker shoes are commonly prescribed to healthy and pathologic populations to decrease stress on the lower limbs. An optimal rocker shoe design must consider both toe and heel rockers. Heel rockers are as effective as toe rockers in relieving foot plantar pressures.

The effect of damping in prosthetic ankle and knee joints on the biomechanical outcomes: A literature review.

Background: Given the growing number of variable-damping prosthetic knee and ankle components and broad number of potential biomechanical outcomes, a systematic review is needed to assess advantages of damped knee and ankle units over non-damped prostheses.

Objectives: This study provides an overview of the biomechanical outcomes associated with the use of prosthetic knees and ankles with damping mechanisms in individuals with lower limb amputation.

Study Design: Literature review.

Quantitative analysis of human ankle characteristics at different gait phases and speeds for utilizing in ankle-foot prosthetic design.

Background: Ankle characteristics vary in terms of gait phase and speed change. This study aimed to quantify the components of ankle characteristics, including quasi-stiffness and work in different gait phases and at various speeds.

Methods: The kinetic and kinematic data of 20 healthy participants were collected during normal gait at four speeds.

Design and development of a novel viscoelastic ankle-foot prosthesis based on the human ankle biomechanics.

Background And Aim: In the present study, a new approach was applied to design and develop a viscoelastic ankle-foot prosthesis. The aim was to replicate the intact ankle moment-angle loop in the normal walking speed.

Technique: The moment-angle loop of intact ankle was divided into four parts, and the appropriate models including two viscoelastic units of spring-damper mechanism were considered to replicate the passive ankle dynamics.

Effect of medial arch support foot orthosis on plantar pressure distribution in females with mild-to-moderate hallux valgus after one month of follow-up.

Background: Higher plantar pressures at the medial forefoot are reported in hallux valgus. Foot orthoses with medial arch support are considered as an intervention in this pathology. However, little is known about the effect of foot orthoses on plantar pressure distribution in hallux valgus.

The effect of prefabricated and proprioceptive foot orthoses on plantar pressure distribution in patients with flexible flatfoot during walking.

Background: Previous studies have suggested that orthoses with different constructions could alter gait parameters in flexible flatfoot. However, there is less evidence about the effect of insoles with proprioceptive mechanism on plantar pressure distribution in flatfoot.

Objectives: To assess the effect of orthoses with different mechanisms on plantar pressure distribution in subjects with flexible flatfoot.