Biomechanical Parameters of Gait after Unilateral Above-knee Amputation. Current State of Research.

The aim of this paper is to present the current state of research on gait parameters in people after unilateral amputation above the knee joint and to compare these gait parameters with those of healthy people. The relevant literature does not include any similar publications. Modern prostheses do not eliminate the asymmetry of gait, although its consequences are diminished. An above-knee amputation leads to significant differences in ground reaction force parameters (GRF) between the sound and amputated limb. The amputated limb is charac-te-rised by lower values of vertical and antero-posterior GRF parameters in comparison with the intact limb. Moreover, during the contact of the heel with the ground, the degree of hip joint flexion of the amputated limb decreases in comparison with the intact limb. Other symptoms of asymmetry between the limbs include asymmetry of pelvic movement in the transverse plane and of the range of movement in the ankle joint. De-creased muscle torque on the hip joint in the amputated limb additionally increases asymmetry of biome-chanical gait parameters after unilateral transfemoral amputation.