Abstract
The motions of step ascending and descending of six below-knee (transtibial) amputees and six healthy adults were evaluated by using two force plates and 2-dimensional motion analyzer. The subjects ascended and descended the steps with 10, 20 and 30cm in height by leading with the prosthetic limb. The angle of trunk inclination, the angle of knee and hip joint and the floor reaction forces of each subject were analyzed. The results were as follow, 1) in ascending, as the step became higher, the flexion angle of hip joint and anterior inclination of trunk of the amputees were larger than those of healthy adults, 2) in ascending, as the step became higher, the vertical force of the prosthetic limb was smaller and the vertical force of non-amputated limb was larger, comparing with that of the healthy limb, 3) in descending, the flexion angle of hip joint was larger and the anterior inclination of trunk of the amputees was a little larger than those of healthy adults. These results indicated that below knee amputees could ascend and descend the step by the compensation of the non-amputated limb covering to the dysfunction of prosthetic limb.
