Plantar pressures reveal adaptive changes for postural balance in amputees

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Article Title:	Plantar pressures reveal adaptive changes for postural balance in amputees
Authors:	Gigi Adrian Aiordachioae, Horia Haragus, Dinu Vermesan, Ionut Stoia, Alexandru Pop
Affiliation:	”Vasile Goldis” Western University of Arad University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babes” Timisoara Polytechnic University Timisoara
Abstract:	There is a high prevalence of peripheral arterial disease in the general population. A minority of this group will require lower limb amputation with important functional and social consequences. Energy costs of amputees gait severely strains the cardiovascular resources of the amputee. Such findings have led us to aim to improve the mobility and thus decrease cardiovascular output by determining the gait patterns of patients with below the knee amputations due to peripheral arterial disease. 8 patients with below the knee amputations were analyzed using a capacitive platform. They all had healed stumps, patellar tendon supporting cups and simple, articulated ankles and important co-morbidities. The inappropriate forward transmission of inertia is apparent on the ground reaction forces readings. The healthy limb has longer steps, stance, single support and pre-swing loading and a decreased load response; these modifications show inappropriate control and confidence in the prosthetic limb, as well as deficient ankle function during pre-swing and heel strike. Uncertainty of position sense can be seen even when the patient is standing and has visual balance control. We conclude that both postural and gait alterations are clearly identifiable in transtibial amputees using plantar pressure distribution analysis. These measurements can aid with rehabilitation, follow-up progression and prosthetic design.
Keywords:	amputee, balance, adaptive changes, gait, plantar pressures
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*Correspondence:	Aiordachioaie Gigi Adrian, “Vasile Goldiş” Western University Arad, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Semiologie chirurgicala, Piata Mihai Viteazu Nr. 7-8., 310017, Arad, Romania, Tel. +40-(722166895), email: gigi_aiordachioaie@yahoo.com