Design, Kinematics and Analysis of the Instantaneous Effect of Uneven Surface on the Kinematics of Patients Amputated Below the Knee and Checking their Postural and Movement Compatibility
- Mehrab Najaeinejad
- Master of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
This study explores the design and kinematic analysis of below-knee amputees navigating uneven surfaces, focusing on the instantaneous effects of surface irregularities on their movement patterns and postural stability. The research aims to assess the compatibility of prosthetic designs with real-world terrain challenges, highlighting how uneven surfaces influence gait dynamics, joint motion, and overall mobility. By examining the kinematic parameters—such as stride length, joint angles, and body posture—this study evaluates the ability of prosthetic systems to adapt to abrupt changes in surface conditions. In fact, for each patient, the number of steps in each path for both legs and the path was examined as a fixed parameter, the frequency of changes (flexion and extension) in the knee joint as a variable, and the criterion for examining symmetry. KINOVEA, version 0.9.5, was used for biomechanical analysis using specific parameters to derive the kinematic parameters in the research. The results showed that the changes in walking speed for both subjects after the moment training had changed compared to the first walking on a stable surface. The asymmetry score of the frequency of angular changes in flexion and extension of the knee joint during a walking cycle for both subjects did not improve compared to the first walk on a regular surface. The analysis also addresses the impact of such surfaces on balance control and movement fluidity, aiming to inform the development of more adaptive prosthetic technologies. The findings reveal key insights into the kinematic discrepancies between walking on even and uneven terrains, offering valuable data for enhancing prosthetic limb design to improve postural alignment, safety, and comfort for below-knee amputees.