Abstract

Resultant flexion/extension lower extremity joint moments of four below-knee amputees running between 2.5 and 5.7 m/s were computed during stance on their intact and prosthetic limbs. All subjects wore patellar tendon-bearing protheses with either a SACH or Greissinger foot component. During stance on the prothesis, the resultant hip extensor moment on the amputated side was greater in magnitude and duration than its counterpart on the intact limb during its corresponding stance period. Since the artifical foot was planted on the ground, such a moment may help control knee flexion and promote knee extension of the residual limb. For the three subjects whose knees continued to flex at the beginning of stance, there was a dominant extensor moment about the knee joint during stance on the prothesis. By contrast, for the fourth subject whose knee remained straight or hyperextended throughout stance on the prosthesis, a flexor moment was dominant. Verf.-Referat