Principles and biomechanical response of normal gait cycle to measure gait parameters for the alignment of prosthetics limb: A technical report

Abstract

The limb amputations caused due to emergent incidents of trauma injuries and vascular diseases currently represent crucial global problems. The patients/amputees with limb amputation who lost the residual limb (knee-ankle foot system) must depend on the prosthetic limb. Prosthetic clinicians and technicians have attempted to develop optimal limb prosthetics that will enhance the ability and functional elements of the patients/users. However, the amputees still do not gain the same level of comfort and functional stability as compared to normal limbs (without amputation). Thus, to provide that comfort and stability, proper construction with accurate positioning and alignment of constructed prosthetic limb is crucial to reconstitute these amputees/patients to do their activities for daily life. The objective of technical report is to provide the brief summary about basic principle and biomechanics regarding gait analysis, construction, and alignment of prosthetic limb during gait cycle. The study also summarized the kinematics and kinetic biomechanical response of prosthetic limbs to assess the biomechanics of limb prosthetics, socket assembly principle, gait parameters, and static and dynamic alignment during walking. The basic principle of positioning and alignment with different flexion and torque moment at hip, knee, and ankle joint has been analyzed.

Keywords: gait analysis; gait deviation; kinetic and kinematics; limb alignment; prosthetic limb.