Comparative roll-over analysis of prosthetic feet.

A prosthetic foot is a key element of a prosthetic leg, literally forming the basis for a stable and efficient amputee gait. We determined the roll-over characteristics of a broad range of prosthetic feet and examined the effect of a variety of shoes on these characteristics. The body weight of a person acting on a prosthetic foot during roll-over was emulated by means of an inverted pendulum-like apparatus. Parameters measured were the effective radius of curvature, the forward travel of the center of pressure, and the instantaneous radius of curvature of the prosthetic feet. Finally, we discuss how these parameters relate to amputee gait.