Rehabilitation Research and Development Service, Department of Veterans Affairs
Abstract
Improved technology allows for more accurate gait
analysis to increase awareness of nonoptimized prosthetic gait
patterns and for the manufacture of sophisticated prosthetic
components to improve nonoptimized gait patterns. However,
prescriptions are often based on intuition rather than rigorous
research findings for evidence-based practice. The number of
studies found in the literature that are based on prosthetic
research regarding transverse rotation and longitudinal translation
is small when compared to topics regarding other types of
movements. Some design criteria for prosthetic components
described in those studies that permit transverse rotation and
longitudinal translation can be found in current designs. However,
little research has been conducted to establish their effectiveness
on the gait parameters and residual limb. This
literature review is an investigation into these motions between
the socket and the prosthetic foot, with particular reference to
gait characteristics and prosthetic design criteria
