Alignment procedure for the optimal fitting of lower limb prostheses.

Systematic methods for optimizing the fitting and alignment of artificial legs were developed in this study. The procedures were based on gait analysis and included the following aspects: stump-prosthesis interface or socket geometry, the selection of components from which the artificial leg was constructed, and dynamic alignment of the prosthesis. The amputee's adaptation to deliberately imposed perturbations in his prosthesis, and the resulting compensatory mechanisms are also discussed.