Abstract
Ambulation on stairs presents a significant challenge for lower extremity amputees and increases the risk of falling and sustaining a serious injury. This study aimed to compare foot placement and foot clearance during stair ambulation in a group of transtibial amputees and a group of able-bodied subjects. Three-dimensional motion analysis was used to determine foot positioning and to calculate temporospatial parameters during stair ascent and descent of 10 transtibial amputees (mean age = 56) and a control group consisting of 10 healthy able-bodied individuals (mean age = 26.7). No significant difference was observed in foot positioning and foot clearance between the amputee and control groups. Temporospatial data revealed a number of significant differences between the groups, particularly during stair ascent. Amputees were observed to walk with a slower velocity and cadence (p < 0.01), to increase the time spent in stance phase and double support (p < 0.01) and to increase their step width during both stair ascent and descent (p < 0.01). Results suggest that foot placement and clearance are not factors that would contribute to a stumble or fall on stairs in established amputees but that balance related issues, such as relative motion of the centre of mass, require further investigation.
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to acknowledge the assistance of Bronte George and Patrick Muller who assisted in collection of control group data in this project.
Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.