Ground reaction forces during gait in people with unilateral transtibial amputation, a series of cases

Unilateral Transtibial Amputees (UTA) usually present deficiencies in the mechanisms underlying their gait likely because of the absence of the resected segment, thus having an impact on the ability to actively adjust the lower limb prosthesis. Five participants with UTA were evaluated considering the ground reaction forces during gait by using an integrated BTS GAITLAB system. The first and the second vertical peak forces tended to be greater in the Healthy Lower Limb (HLL) than in the Lower Limb prosthesis (LLP). Both the deceleration and propulsion forces were lower in this limb prosthesis, in addition, a variability of the mediolateral force was observed. Maintaining active control of the center of gravity during gait from the HLL was probably due to mechanical restrictions to actively control the ankle and the limitations for force absorption and generation that allow controlling postural stability during gait from the LLP. (c) 2021 Sociedad Espanola de Rehabilitacion y Medicina Fisica. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. All rights reserved.