Kinetic gait data to quantify socket fit and prosthetic alignment in amputees

Transtibial prosthetic alignment, i.e. changes made to the orientation of the prosthetic foot relative to the socket, is normally performed with the aim to optimize prosthetic comfort, pressure distribution, energy expenditure and gait stability. During the current alignment process prosthetic foot orientation is adjusted if deviations of the kinematics and spatiotemporal parameters are present. However, it is known that these adjustments are based on the clinician’s experience and tacit knowledge, and reproducibility of alignment is limited. To improve clinical practice it is important to quantify prosthetic alignment. Recently studies have shown that kinetic alignment criteria are feasible for alignment purposes. Therefore, it is this study’s goal to investigate the possible use of kinetic alignment criteria to optimize prosthetic functioning.