ِDoes the socket design affect symmetry and spatiotemporal gait parameters? (a case series of two transfemoral amputees.)

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Socket design is thought to improve gait performance and symmetry as the other components of the prosthesis do. This study focused on the comparison of two different sockets in transfemoral amputee patients to evaluate the influence of the socket designs on gait symmetry and various spatiotemporal gait parameters. Methods: Two transfemoral amputees participated in this case series study. They were asked to walk with the quadrilateral and the new modified sockets along a 10-meter walkway. The marker-based motion capture system recorded the spatiotemporal gait data during all walking trials. Kinematic data were compared between the two test conditions using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Symmetry Index. Results: The new socket increased velocity and cadence and reduced step width in both amputees, compared with the quadrilateral sockets. However, a good symmetry was observed in step length, stride length, step time, and stride time within two limbs by both sockets (SI ≤10). Conclusions: The design of sockets in this study had no observed effect on gait symmetry; however, the new socket increased velocity and cadence and reduced width step in both patients compared with the quadrilateral socket.