Characteristics of Trunk Compensation Movements during Walking in People with Bilateral Transtibial Amputation: A Cross-sectional Study.

Objectives: The gait characteristics of people with bilateral transtibial amputation are not well understood. This study aimed to clarify changes in trunk lateral bending and the trunk flexion angle during walking in people with bilateral transtibial amputation.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, four participants with bilateral transtibial amputation who could walk without assistance (BTTA group) and ten able-bodied participants (control group) were recruited. The range of motion of trunk lateral bending, the trunk flexion angle, and other gait parameters during comfortable-speed and maximum-speed walking were measured using a three-dimensional motion analysis system and force plates. These parameters were compared between the amputees and the controls.

Results: During maximum-speed walking, the BTTA group walked slower with a smaller trunk flexion angle (median, 1.75° vs. 4.79°, P=0.036) and greater double leg support time (0.18 vs. 0.12, P=0.008) when compared with the control group. The other parameters during maximum-speed walking were not significantly different between the two groups. During comfortable-speed walking, none of the parameters were significantly different between the two groups.

Conclusions: Compensatory trunk flexion angle decreases markedly during maximum-speed walking in people with bilateral transtibial amputation. People with bilateral transtibial amputation may be changing the trunk flexion angle to walk faster. When evaluating gait compensation for people with bilateral transtibial amputation, trunk flexion angle may be an important index and maximum-speed walking is needed to detect the change in trunk flexion angle.