Forces and moments in knee–ankle–foot orthoses while walking on irregular surfaces

Abstract

Higher external peak knee flexion moments during the stance phase suggest that greater demands for support and stability are placed on individuals and their assistive devices when negotiating real-life ground surfaces. Clinical relevance This study demonstrates that walking on irregular surfaces alters the loads placed on knee-ankle-foot orthoses and that the requirements for knee stabilization increase. This has important clinical implications on the design, prescription, and use of such devices given the structural and functional demands placed on them.

Elastic energy in locomotion: Spring-mass vs. poly-articulated models

“…Hence, the contribution of the different joints in the global stiffness could be estimated. Joint stiffness is also evoked as a key criterion in disabilities such as falls [26,27], balance management [28,29], and cerebral palsy [30]. The organization of local work or local stiffness to produce a global stiffness could be considered as a new criterion of motor behavior optimization useful for rehabilitation procedures, mechanical energy optimization, and prostheses/exoskeleton stiffness management.…”

Lightweight design of Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthotic Devices using Voronoi patterns for Additive Manufacturing

“…Finite elements analysis was performed on the KAFO using predefined meshing elements and assigning materials of stainless steel and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). Force applied to KAFO in the direction of Fx, Fy and Fz is 29.19 N, 36.5 N and 304.60 N; respectively [15,16]. The main concern for performance assessment of the loaded KAFO is on the value of maximum stress and deflection.…”