Amputee Locomotion: Determining the Inertial Properties of Running-Specific Prostheses

Abstract Objectives (1) To test the validity of a trifilar pendulum in estimating moments of inertia (MOIs) for running-specific prostheses (RSPs), (2) to measure inertial properties (mass, center of mass [CM] position, and MOIs) for 4 RSPs, (3) to verify the influence of the stiffness on the inertial properties of RSPs, and (4) to develop a predictive equation to estimate RSP CM positions. Design An aluminum block with known MOIs was used for verifying the accuracy of the trifilar pendulum MOI measurements. MOI errors were investigated by systematically misaligning the block and pendulum principal axes across a range of 1 to 10cm. Mass, CM position, and MOI were tested across 4 RSP designs with 3 stiffness categories each. Setting University biomechanics laboratory. Specimens Four different RSP designs and 3 stiffness categories per design were examined. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures MOI errors from known values and principal axis misalignments between RSPs and pendulum; mass, CM positions, and RSP principal axis MOIs; and predictive equation CM position errors. Results The trifilar pendulum estimated MOIs within −6.21×10−5 kg/m2 (≤1% error) for a block with known MOIs. Misalignments of 1 to 5cm between the RSPs' and pendulum's CM yielded errors from .00002 to .00113 kg/m2 (0.3%−59.2%). Each RSP's inertial properties are presented. MOIs about any axis varied