GAIT PATTERNS OF ELDERLY MEN WITH TRANS-TIBIAL AMPUTATIONS

Gait patterns for the non-amputated leg of eight elderly men with trans-tibial amputations were assessed using kinematic and kinetic measures. Kinematically, the subject's walking speed was faster than expected but less than normative non-amputee data. The stride length was also less than non-amputee norms. Net joint moment and power analyses showed various discrepancies between the amputee subjects and non-amputees. The amputees required a concentric ankle dorsiflexor moment just after heel-strike to help move the lower leg into mid-stance position. The concentric plantarflexor moment at push-off was much larger than comparative data. A large eccentric flexor moment was also found at the hip during late mid-stance. Most of these discrepancies could be explained by the lack of an ankle moment generator on the amputated side of the body.