Static weight-bearing patterns of below-knee amputees using patellar-tendon-bearing prostheses.

While the weight-bearing patterns under human feet during dynamic conditions (i.e. walking or running) have been investigated by many scientists, only a few studies have been reported on such patterns during erect standing posture. This paper describes an investigation where a system composed of strain gauge load cells has been employed to study the static weight-bearing patterns of a group fo below-knee amputees using patellar-tendon-bearing prostheses, and of a matching group of normal persons. Experimental data were analysed to recognize the static weight-bearing patterns; it has been found that specific patterns exist for normal person as well as for healthy and affected sides of the amputees. It has been indicated how these findings could be used to define a performance index proportional to stance disability.