Abstract
A force plate and motion analysis system are commonly used to measure the function of prosthetic foot-ankle units while walking. It is difficult, however, to use a force plate to measure gait on slopes and stairs while side-step walking with prosthetic foot-ankle units. Side-step walking involves two possible walking conditions, an actual leg or prosthetic leg that supports the body for ascending or descending a slope and stairs. Therefore, side-step walking is an important part of rehabilitation training for ascending or descending a slope and stairs. To measure the function of prosthetic foot-ankle units while subjects walked on a slope, a prosthetic lower leg was fitted with a compact, six-component force transducer, and an ambulatory gait-monitoring system was developed. The developed system is capable of calculating the load line. We report on the function of prosthetic foot-ankle units using the load line while side-step walking on a slope.
