Comparison between the Barefeet Gait and the Shoe Gaitin the Transtibial Amputees

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to evaluate gait patterns in transtibial amputees with the barefeet relative to the shoe and also to identify the differences between their gait patterns of two different types of prosthetic feet. METHOD: An optoelectronic motion analysis of gait was done in six transtibial amputees using both the SACH foot and the single axis foot. In both cases we compared the state of the barefeet with the shod. RESULTS: The gait abnormalities which were observed during the barefeet gait with the SACH foot showed knee joint hyperextension of 9.9+/-2.0 degrees and the loss of ankle plantar flexion at the early stance phase. When the single axis foot was used, there was a reduction in knee flexion thrust from 9.9+/-3.7 degrees to 7.2+/-3.8 degrees and also in plantar flexion from 9.9+/-2.8 degrees to 7.0+/-2.1 degrees during the early stance phase. CONCLUSION: There were significant gait abnormalities during the barefoot walking state in transtibial amputees with the SACH foot. We observed that gait patterns have been improved when the single axis prosthetic foot was used.