Physiological parameters analysis of transfemoral amputees with different prosthetic knees.

Purposeː Physiological parameters analysis allows for a precise quantification of energy expenditure of transfemoral amputees with different prosthetic knees. Comparative physiological parameters analysis that indicate the functional characteristics of knee joints is essential to the choice of transfemoral amputee. The aim of this study was to propose a microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knee (i-KNEE) and conducted physiological parameters (energy cost, gait efficiency and relative exercise intensity) comparison of transfemoral amputees with C-leg, Rheo Knee and Mauch under different walking speeds. Methodsː A microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knee with hydraulic damper (i-KNEE) was developed. A two-factor repeated measurement experiment design was used. Each subject was instructed to accept the same treatments. The two factors were type of prosthetic knees (the i-KNEE, the C-Leg, the Rheo Knee and the Mauch) and speed (0.5, 0.7, 0.9, 1.1, 1.3 m/s). The energy cost, gait efficiency and relative exercise intensity of ten transfemoral amputees were measured. Resultsː For all the prosthetic knees, the energy cost increased along with walking speed. There was no significant difference between three microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knees in energy cost. The gait efficiency of Mauch was always less than or equal to other three microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knees in specific walking speed. The relative exercise intensity increased with speed for all the prosthetic knees. More effort was needed for the transfemoral amputees with Mauch than other three microprocessorcontrolled prosthetic knees in the same walking speed. Conclusionsː The use of the microprocessor-controlled knee joints resulted in reduced energy cost, improved gait efficiency and smaller relative exercise intensity.