Perception of walking surface by transtibial amputees : A pilot study

Abstract: The aims of this study were to; determine if it is possible for amputees to identify walking surfaces by receiving feedback through their prostheses. determine if there are any measurable changes in amputee gait characteristics when walking on different surfaces.   Methods Subjects walked on a specially built walkway with exchangeable surface materials (level, soft and tilted) with visual and audio feedback occluded. Subjects were required to identify the surface material. Kinematic data were collected simultaneously.   Results Agreement between the true surface and that identified by the subject on the amputated side was fair to good (k=0.58). A two way repeated measures ANOVA showed a significant difference in lateral knee displacement between heel contact to foot flat, with main effect for surface (p=0.010).   Conclusion Amputees have a fair to good ability to identify walking surfaces without additional information from eye sight, hearing or the sound limb.   The kinematic measures showed a significant increase in lateral knee displacement between heel contact to foot flat on the tilted surface compared to both level and soft surfaces. This was the case for both the amputated and the sound side.   The duration of heel contact to foot flat was unaffected by walking surface and first or second step.