title: Impact of a stance phase microprocessor-controlled knee prosthesis on level walking in lower functioning individuals with a transfemoral amputation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  For individuals with transfemoral amputation, walking with a prosthesis presents challenges to stability and increases the demand on the hip of the prosthetic limb. Increasing age or comorbidities magnify these challenges. Computerized prosthetic knee joints improve stability and efficiency of gait, but are seldom prescribed for less physically capable walkers who may benefit from them.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare level walking function while wearing a microprocessor-controlled knee (C-Leg Compact) prosthesis to a traditionally prescribed non-microprocessor-controlled knee prosthesis for Medicare Functional Classification Level K-2 walkers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Crossover.
  
  
  METHODS
  Stride characteristics, kinematics, kinetics, and electromyographic activity were recorded in 10 participants while walking with non-microprocessor-controlled knee and Compact prostheses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Walking with the Compact produced significant increase in velocity, cadence, stride length, single-limb support, and heel-rise timing compared to walking with the non-microprocessor-controlled knee prosthesis. Hip and thigh extension during late stance improved bilaterally. Ankle dorsiflexion, knee extension, and hip flexion moments of the prosthetic limb were significantly improved.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Improvements in walking function and stability on the prosthetic limb were demonstrated by the K-2 level walkers when using the C-Leg Compact prosthesis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Understanding the impact of new prosthetic designs on gait mechanics is essential to improve prescription guidelines for deconditioned or older persons with transfemoral amputation. Prosthetic designs that improve stability for safety and walking function have the potential to improve community participation and quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, Downey, CA, USA veberly@dhs.lacounty.gov.
authors.forename: Valerie J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Eberly
authors.affiliation: Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, Downey, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Sara J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Mulroy
authors.affiliation: Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, Downey, CA, USA.
authors.forename: JoAnne K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Gronley
authors.affiliation: Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, Downey, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Jacquelin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Perry
authors.affiliation: Hanger Prosthetics and Orthotics, Phoenix, AZ, USA.
authors.forename: William J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Yule
authors.affiliation: Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital, Lincoln, NE, USA.
authors.forename: Judith M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Burnfield
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000674:Amputees / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000502:physiology; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000601:surgery*; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000502:physiology; D007720:Knee Prosthesis; D008297:Male; D008838:Microcomputers; D008875:Middle Aged; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Kinematics; electromyography; kinetics; microprocessor-controlled knee