Electromyographic study of muscular activity in the amputation stump while walking with PTB- and PTB-suction prosthesis.

A comparative electromyographic study of the muscular activity while waling with PTB and PTB-suction prosthesis is presented. The PTB-suction prosthesis has been used clinically since 1969 with generally promising results. This prosthesis is mainly of value for patients with skin problems (poor sensibility and contact sores) and also has a cosmetic advantage. The present investigation has demonstrated that there is frequently a muscular activity pattern when walking with the PTB-suction prosthesis which is similar to that of a normal leg. The PTB prosthesis often shows a pattern of simultaneous contractions of antagonistic muscles. Furthermore, when the EMG-pattern is more "normal" and the amplitude higher with the PTB-suction prosthesis, it is probably the more suitable prosthesis. These EMG investigations can thus be a possible adjunct in the selection between the PTB-suction prosthesis and PTB prosthesis.