An above-knee prosthesis with a system of energy recovery: a technical note.

Knee flexion to 24 degrees during early stance transforms kinetic energy into potential energy of a total center of mass (TCM) position. Flexion is controlled by the musculoligamentous apparatus. Reproduction of such flexion in a new single-axis prosthesis knee unit has minimized the metabolic energy cost to the patient by a more favorable use of gravity acting upon the prosthetic segments and the body as well as of inertia. Potential energy is stored in the spring shock absorber of the knee unit. The coefficient of energy recovery increased by 30% in comparison with a conventional above-knee prosthesis. Energy costs to the patient decrease an average of 35% during gait with the new prosthesis. The same amount of unloading during walking is typical of an intact limb. The knee unit mechanism has a link set on the axle, thus providing two joints with a common axis: a) the main joint for knee flexion to 70 degrees during swing phase and flexion to 135 degrees during sitting; b) the second joint for bending at the beginning of stance phase. Compared with conventional units, gait with the new unit displays several functional advantages: 1) normal knee kinematics with movement of a TCM along a trajectory that contributes to an easy rollover of the foot and smooth and continuous translation of the body; 2) shock absorption during early stance prevents impact from the anterior brim of the socket; 3) at mid-stance, the increase of the TCM position accumulates potential energy that results in a significant increase of the push-off force; 4) during rapid gait, the unit provides adequate resistance to knee flexion; 5) location of the joint axis in front of the line of gravity loads the prosthesis in standing, making possible unimpeded carrying of the prosthesis over the support, the lengths of the prosthetic and the intact limb being equal; in addition, it facilitates flexion before the beginning of the swing phase. Production of the units began in 1992.