Comparative Analysis of Kinematics and Kinetics Gait Parameters among Transtibial Amputees of Traumatic and Vascular Etiology Using PTB Prosthesis

INTRODUCTION: Amputation is one of the main course of locomotor disabilities. Lower limb amputation accounts for 94.8 % of all amputation. Among the lower limb amputations most frequent site of amputation is transtibial level. The primary goal of rehabilitation of lower limb amputees is to resume normal gait as much as possible. Gait asymmetry is one of the main concerns in unilateral transtibial amputees. It can be due to prosthetic cause or amputee cause. This study compares the gait asymmetry among two groups of transtibial amputees such as traumatic and vascular etiology groups using kinematics and kinetics parameters of gait. OBJECTIVE: To know the effect of amputation etiology in unilateral transtibial amputee by comparing the kinematics and kinetics gait parameters among vascular and traumatic groups using PTB transtibial prosthesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 60 patients, with age > 40 & < 70 years with unilateral transtibial amputation using PTB prosthesis and able to walk at least10 min continuously at their freely walking speed without functional aids. Subjects were divided in to 2 groups according to the etiology of amputation, vascular and traumatic group. Quantitative gait analysis was conducted in 3D MOTION GAIT ANALYSIS LAB. RESULTS: Spatial and temporal parameters such as walking speed, cadence, step width, double support phase percentage of the vascular amputee found to be inferior to the traumatic transtibial amputee. kinematics parameters also showed increased hip flexion and knee flexion angle during swing phase in vascular amputees and the kinetic parameter, the active force during the push off on both healthy in the trauma group was not found in the vascular group. CONCLUSION: The primary goal of rehabilitation of lower limb amputees is to resume normal gait as much as possible. Amputation etiology plays a major role in gait pattern and rehabilitation outcome. Consequently trauma and vascular transtibial amputee should not be considered as an entity in the test situation or rehabilitation programmes