Comprehensive analysis of dynamic elastic response feet: Seattle ankle/lite foot versus SACH foot

doi:10.1016/0003-9993(93)90013-Z

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Volume 74, Issue 8, August 1993, Pages 853-861

https://doi.org/10.1016/0003-9993(93)90013-Z Get rights and content

Abstract

This study evaluated biomechanical and metabolic performance differences between two prosthetic foot designs in light of their mechanical properties. Ten unilateral below-knee amputee subjects, at least 1 year after amputation, capable of walking and running, were studied. Differences in heel and forefoot compliance explained differences in gait events and alignment. Increased efficiency of pushoff in the Seattle Ankle/Lite Foot exists as evidenced by the decrease loading on the opposite limb during double support and a less shortened step length on the sound side compared to the SACH foot. The natural frequency of oscillation for the prosthetic feet was determined to be too high to provide energy storage and release synchronized with kinematic requirements because neither metabolic cost savings nor differences in metabolic efficiency were found. Comfortable walking speed and the nadir of metabolic rate and efficiency are not different. Via accelerometer measurement, it was found that the more compliant and lossy SACH foot heel was less likely to transmit high frequency vibration.

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2018, Handbook of Biomechatronics
Walking is a repetitive task. It is inherently passive in order to be energy-efficient. Lower-limb prostheses have been providing to a big portion of lower-limb amputees the basic capability for walking. With the help of biomechatronics, prostheses with better characteristics are possible to enable bigger percentage of the amputee populations to perform tasks other than walking better and more naturally.
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Many studies have reported the effects of different foot prostheses on gait, but most results cannot be generalized because the prostheses’ properties are seldom reported. We varied hindfoot and forefoot stiffness in an experimental foot prosthesis, in increments of 15 N/mm, and tested the parametric effects of these variations on treadmill walking in unilateral transtibial amputees, at speeds from 0.7 to 1.5 m/s. We computed outcomes such as prosthesis energy return, center of mass (COM) mechanics, ground reaction forces, and joint mechanics, and computed their sensitivity to component stiffness. A stiffer hindfoot led to reduced prosthesis energy return, increased ground reaction force (GRF) loading rate, and greater stance-phase knee flexion and knee extensor moment. A stiffer forefoot resulted in reduced prosthetic-side ankle push-off and COM push-off work, and increased knee extension and knee flexor moment in late stance. The sensitivity parameters obtained from these tests may be useful in clinical prescription and further research into compensatory mechanisms of joint function.
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^☆: This research supported in part by research grant H133G80122, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, US Department of Education, Washington, DC.

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ArticleComprehensive analysis of dynamic elastic response feet: Seattle ankle/lite foot versus SACH foot☆

Abstract

J Biomech

J Biomech

Measurement of energy expenditure during ambulation, with special reference to evaluation of assistive devices

Arch Phys Med Rehabil

Energy cost of ambulation in health and disability: a literature review

Arch Phys Med Rehabil

Energy/speed relation of below-knee amputees walking on a motor-driven treadmill

Int Z angew Physiol

Energy cost of walking of amputees: the influence of level of amputation

J Bone Joint Surg

Accelerographic, temporal, and distance gait: factors in below-knee amputees

Phys Ther

Gait abnormalities in tibial nerve paralysis: a biomechanical study

Arch Phys Med Rehabil

Gait as a total pattern of movement

Am J Phys Med

Article
Comprehensive analysis of dynamic elastic response feet: Seattle ankle/lite foot versus SACH foot☆