Researchers conducted a study to evaluate the sagittal kinematics of the intact and residual knees in the use of running-specific prostheses for active individuals with transtibial amputations.
The researchers recruited 14 participants (aged 33.43±1.46 years) and recorded them in the sagittal plane to make measurements using a virtual goniometer. The recordings were taken under two conditions: walking with the daily-use prosthesis and running with a running-specific prosthesis. The peak flexion during swing phase and the initial flexion during stance phase were recorded as an angle.
The difference in peak knee flexion between the amputated and intact limbs was statistically significant. The difference in initial knee flexion in the amputated and intact limbs was statistically significant during walking, but not during running, according to the study.
According to the Symmetry Index, peak knee flexion during running was in the “good symmetry” interval, while peak knee flexion during walking and initial knee flexion during running were in the “moderate symmetry” interval. The initial knee flexion during walking was in the “asymmetric” interval.
The authors concluded that running improves symmetry scores including the sagittal position of the knee joint, which suggests that running at recreational level can be used as a strategy for the stimulation of symmetric movement patterns.
The study, “Investigation of symmetry in sagittal knee kinematics during running in transtibial amputees,” was published in the Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation.
