Abstract
A boy, born in 1973, was seen at the age of 10 days because of bilateral amelia of the lower extremity. He was born at term with uncomplicated delivery and a birth weight of 2950g after severe emesis during early stage of gestation. His siblings were normal and the family history revealed neither similar affection nor evidence of consanguinity.
Training for sitting was started at the age of 6 months with a bucket stabilizer constructed of plastic laminate material which was mounted on a board platform. In order to improve sitting balance and trunk strength, the top of the bucket was lowered and the platform was exchanged to rocking type. He was fitted at the age of 2 years and 1 month with CAPP (Child Amputee Prosthetic Project, UCLA) type lower-limb prosthesis and could ambulate without help of crutches at the age of 2 years and 8 months. The prosthesis had Canadian hip joints and is designed to ambulate using swivel type movements. Body rotary movements increased step length. The footplates were replaced with SACH feet at the age of 2 years 9 months and single-axis knee joints with the ring rock were added for convenience of sitting at the age of 5 years and 8 months. He could walk more than 10m on a level floor without crutches at the age of 6 years and 6 months. The ring rock knee joints were replaced with LAPOC (Labor Accident Prosthetic and Orthotic Center) type knee joints at the age of 8 years and 11 months.
Walking analysis was performed using motion-picture camera, motion analyzer and foot prints when he weared the prosthesis consisted of Canadian hip joints at the age of 8 years. The camera was run at 16 frames/sec.
The results of analysis were as follows:
Cadence, 101st eps/min; speed, 0.6Km/hr; walking cycle, 19/16sec; right single supporting period, 7/16sec; left single supporting period, 2/16sec; double supporting period, 10/16sec; stride width, 15cm; step length, 10cm; pelvic rotation angle, 45°.
