At a glance - Transtibial amputee joint rotation moments during straight-line walking and a common turning task with and without a torsion adapter

JRRD at a Glance

Transtibial amputee joint rotation moments during straight-line walking and a common turning task with and without a torsion adapter

Ava D. Segal, MS, et al.

Walking at home and in the community requires frequent turning and twisting maneuvers. For veteran amputees who wear lower-limb prostheses, these activities can transmit large torsional loads onto the skin of their residual limb, which may contribute to discomfort and injury. This study showed that a torsion adapter, a springlike device mounted between the prosthetic socket and pylon, minimally affected transmitted torsional loads when an individual walked in a straight line. However, when the individual performed a turning maneuver, the torsion adapter reduced the transmitted torsional load compared with a standard rigid adapter. These results suggest that torsion adapters may benefit veteran lower-limb amputees walking in a household environment.

Volume 46 Number 3, 2009
Pages 375 — 384

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