BACKGROUND: Microprocessor-controlled knee joints appeared on the market a decade ago. These joints are more sophisticated and more expensive than mechanical ones. The literature is contradictory regarding changes in gait and balance when using these sophisticated devices. METHODS: This study employed a crossover design to assess the comparative performance of a passive mechanical knee prosthesis compared to a microprocessor-controlled knee joint in 15 subjects with an above-knee amputation. Objective measurements of gait and balance were obtained. RESULTS: Subjects demonstrated significantly improved gait characteristics after receiving the microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knee joint (p<0.01). Improvements in gait were a transition from a hyperextended knee to a flexed knee during loading response which resulted in a change from an internal knee flexor moment to a knee extensor moment. The participants' balance also improved (p<0.01). All conditions of the Sensory Organization Test (SOT) demonstrated improvements in equilibrium score. The composite score also increased. CONCLUSIONS: Transfemoral amputees using a microprocessor-controlled knee have significant improvements in gait and balance.
BACKGROUND: Microprocessor-controlled knee joints appeared on the market a decade ago. These joints are more sophisticated and more expensive than mechanical ones. The literature is contradictory regarding changes in gait and balance when using these sophisticated devices. METHODS: This study employed a crossover design to assess the comparative performance of a passive mechanical knee prosthesis compared to a microprocessor-controlled knee joint in 15 subjects with an above-knee amputation. Objective measurements of gait and balance were obtained. RESULTS: Subjects demonstrated significantly improved gait characteristics after receiving the microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knee joint (p<0.01). Improvements in gait were a transition from a hyperextended knee to a flexed knee during loading response which resulted in a change from an internal knee flexor moment to a knee extensor moment. The participants' balance also improved (p<0.01). All conditions of the Sensory Organization Test (SOT) demonstrated improvements in equilibrium score. The composite score also increased. CONCLUSIONS: Transfemoral amputees using a microprocessor-controlled knee have significant improvements in gait and balance.
Authors: Andrea Giovanni Cutti; Alberto Ferrari; Pietro Garofalo; Michele Raggi; Angelo Cappello; Adriano Ferrari Journal: Med Biol Eng Comput Date: 2009-11-13 Impact factor: 2.602
Authors: M Jason Highsmith; Tyler D Klenow; Jason T Kahle; Matthew M Wernke; Stephanie L Carey; Rebecca M Miro; Derek J Lura Journal: Technol Innov Date: 2016-09-01
Authors: Kenton R Kaufman; James A Levine; Robert H Brey; Shelly K McCrady; Denny J Padgett; Michael J Joyner Journal: Arch Phys Med Rehabil Date: 2008-07 Impact factor: 3.966