Increased loading of the lateral knee compartment in the unamputated knee during gait in people with unilateral transfemoral/through-knee amputations.

Aims: People with unilateral transfemoral/through-knee amputations (UTF) are at risk of mechanically mediated contralateral knee osteoarthritis (OA). This study aims to identify the mechanical indicators of the development and progression of unamputated knee OA in the UTF population.

Methods: Level-ground gait data were collected from 14 male traumatic UTF participants and 14 uninjured matched controls using optical motion capture systems and force plates.

The biomechanical effect of different spring extension assist mechanisms in mechanical 4-bar polycentric prosthetic knees for unilateral above/through-knee amputees.

Background: Passive prosthetic knees incorporate extension assist mechanisms to enhance the swing phase of the gait cycle for persons with above/through-knee amputations. In conventional polycentric knees using a 4-bar linkage, the extension assist mechanism connects one of the bars to the body of the prosthesis. However, this design introduces a singularity in the spring action delivery, causing the spring to push the knee into flexion beyond a certain angle.

Benefits and durability of an affordable prosthetic silicone cushion liner locally manufactured in a resource-limited environment: Enabling adoption of total surface bearing sockets and silicone cushion liners.

Introduction: Prosthetic silicone liners improve comfort and skin protection and allow the use of total surface bearing (TSB) sockets, which provide enhanced proprioception and comfort. Unfortunately, silicone liners are cost-prohibitive in resource-limited environments (RLEs) where patellar tendon bearing (PTB) sockets with PE-lite liners remain standard, leading to patient discomfort and skin issues.

Objective: This study evaluates the benefits and durability of an affordable silicone liner locally manufactured in an RLE to promote TSB socket adoption, aiming to enhance prosthetic care and patient outcomes.

Listening to children with lower limb loss: Rationale, design, and protocol for delivery of a novel globally applicable research toolkit-Prosthetic user needs, quality of life, pain, and physical function.

Introduction: Rehabilitation after childhood lower limb loss is complex and dependent on multiple stakeholders and environmental factors. While research with adults underscores the importance of involving prosthetic limb users and caregivers in discussions to drive innovation, children are often excluded or not effectively engaged. This protocol lays out the development and implementation protocol for an internationally applicable research toolkit which has been designed and evaluated around the essential presence of the child.

Hip joint and muscle loading for persons with bilateral transfemoral/through-knee amputations: biomechanical differences between full-length articulated and foreshortened non-articulated prostheses.

Background: Currently, there is little available in-depth analysis of the biomechanical effect of different prostheses on the musculoskeletal system function and residual limb internal loading for persons with bilateral transfemoral/through-knee amputations (BTF). Commercially available prostheses for BTF include full-length articulated prostheses (microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knees with dynamic response prosthetic feet) and foreshortened non-articulated stubby prostheses. This study aims to assess and compare the BTF musculoskeletal function and loading during gait with these two types of prostheses.

Maintaining Bone Health in the Lumbar Spine: Routine Activities Alone Are Not Enough.

Public health organisations typically recommend a minimum amount of moderate intensity activities such as walking or cycling for two and a half hours a week, combined with some more demanding physical activity on at least 2 days a week to maintain a healthy musculoskeletal condition. For populations at risk of bone loss in the lumbar spine, these guidelines are particularly relevant. However, an understanding of how these different activities are influential in maintaining vertebral bone health is lacking.

Design and preliminary testing of a low-cost balance perturbation system for the evaluation of real life postural adjustment on public transport.

Balance recovery mechanisms are of paramount importance in situations like public transport where sudden loss of equilibrium can occur. These mechanisms can be altered by aging or pathological disorders. However it is almost impossible to investigate these phenomena in real-life conditions, and the safe environment of a laboratory is needed.