Difference between ramp descent and level walking for individuals with transfemoral amputation

What is it about?

It is often said that ramp descent is a demanding activity for those with transfemoral amputation (TFA) compared with level walking. However, we know little about the difference from the biomechanical viewpoint. Taking advantage of the availability of walking data where those with TFA walked with a prosthetic knee without a stance control mechanism, we clarified what will change and what will not change by changing the ramp/level condition.

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Why is it important?

From a scientific perspective, this study provides data which have long been unavailable in this field: kinetic characteristics of ramp descent using a non-microprocessor-controlled (often referred as conventional”) knee. While many leading researchers studying the latest microprocessor-controlled knees refer to scientific literature describing the biomechanical characteristics of descending ramps using conventional knees, no study has been conducted to examine altered kinetic demands of ramp descent using these conventional knees. We found that biomechanical demands did not uniformly increase, but was site- and phase- dependent. With these findings, we believe this study will fill this gap and work as one of the key references of ramp descent in persons with TFA. Information on lower limb kinetics during ramp descent is useful for teaching the use of prosthetic limbs to persons with TFA.

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