title: Foot clearance strategy for step-over-step stair climbing in transfemoral amputees.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Stair ascent is a particularly challenging task for transfemoral amputees. The aim of this clinical note was to describe the kinematic features of foot clearance in transfemoral amputee who can ascend stairs using a step-over-step strategy.
  
  
  METHODS
  The marker trajectories of the first metatarsophalangeal joint (Mt1) and clearance height were measured in two transfemoral amputees who could (TF1) and could not (TF2) climb stairs using a step-over-step strategy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Mt1 marker trajectories of the TF1 moved backward in the early swing phase, and the trajectory followed an off-centered parabolic arc to achieve a similar clearance height as able-bodied subjects. TF2 could not climb the stairs without tripping in each step. An effective compensatory strategy to avoid tripping during stair climbing may be to use the hip joint for a backward extension and rapid flexion of the prosthetic leg during the early swing phase.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The foot clearance strategy in transfemoral amputees who can climb stairs using a step-over-step strategy will help us better understand adaptive prosthetic control and thus develop more effective gait rehabilitation programs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation for the Movement Functions, Research Institute, National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities, Saitama, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hobara
authors.affiliation: Digital Human Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology,Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshiyuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthetics and Orthotics, Research Institute, National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities, Saitama, Japan.
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthetics and Orthotics, Research Institute, National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities, Saitama, Japan.
authors.forename: Nobuya
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yamasaki
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation for the Movement Functions, Research Institute, National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities, Saitama, Japan ogata-toru@rehab.go.jp.
authors.forename: Toru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ogata
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000674:Amputees / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000502:physiology*; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000502:physiology; D008124:Locomotion / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Rehabilitation; above knee; reciprocal gait; stair ascent