Background: Adequate research is not reported so far to underline the influence of commonly used polycentric knee joints on gait performance of subjects with trans-femoral amputation. Objective: The intent of this investigation is to analyze prosthetic gait of unilateral traumatic trans-femoral amputees with polycentric four-bar linkage knee and compare it with normal subjects for evaluating any asymmetry in gait performance. Methods: Objective three-dimensional gait analysis of 15 subjects [mean (age): 36.4 (10.7) years] were performed in gait lab through force plate and optoelectronic devices to measure temporal-spatial parameters, kinematic and kinetic performances. Gait patterns of amputees were compared with those of 15 individuals with normal gait to analyze distinct functionalities of existing polycentric knee. Results: Asymmetry in gait was observed between amputees and normal subjects for all variables concerned ([Formula: see text]). Amputee gait was with significantly lesser velocity, cadence with shorter step and stride length. There was significantly less hip, knee and pelvic motions, however, pelvic obliquity and rotation did not show significant difference from the normal subjects. The vertical component of the ground reaction force differed significantly between prosthetic and intact limb [49.7 (8.5)% and 90.4 (7.4)% body weight] and also from normal subjects [107.5 (2.4)% body weight] during stance ([Formula: see text]). Interpretation and Conclusion: This difference may be attributed to nonproportionate loading of limbs and mechanical adaptations for counteracting deficiencies of prosthetic side. This study will help to explain gait asymmetry in trans-femoral amputees and to identify underlying mechanisms to enhance the quality of the existing design of prosthetic knee through optimizing design parameters and utilizing appropriate materials.

中文翻译：

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使用多中心四杆连杆假肢膝关节对经股截肢患者的临床步态分析

背景：迄今为止，尚未有充分的研究报告强调常用的多中心膝关节对经股截肢患者步态表现的影响。目的：本研究的目的是分析多中心四连杆膝关节单侧创伤性经股截肢患者的假肢步态，并将其与正常受试者进行比较，以评估步态表现的任何不对称性。方法：在步态实验室通过测力台和光电设备对15名受试者[平均（年龄）：36.4（10.7）岁]进行客观的三维步态分析，以测量时空参数、运动学和动力学性能。将截肢者的步态模式与 15 名具有正常步态的人的步态模式进行比较，以分析现有多中心膝关节的不同功能。结果：对于所有相关变量，在截肢者和正常受试者之间观察到步态不对称（[公式：见正文]）。截肢者步态的速度、节奏明显较低，步幅和步幅较短。髋关节、膝关节和骨盆运动明显减少，但骨盆倾斜度和旋转度与正常受试者没有显着差异。地面反作用力的垂直分量在假肢和完整肢体 [49.7 (8.5)% 和 90.4 (7.4)% 体重] 以及正常受试者 [107.5 (2.4)% 体重] 之间存在显着差异（[公式：见正文]）。解释和结论：这种差异可能归因于不成比例的肢体负荷和机械适应以抵消假肢侧的缺陷。