Simulating the Effects of Anthropometry on the Contralateral Limb of Transtibial Amputees
Open Access
- Author:
- Mahajan, Ninad
- Area of Honors:
- interdisciplinary in Biomedical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Science
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- Jessica Dolores Menold, Thesis Supervisor
Bo Cheng, Thesis Honors Advisor
Meghan Vidt, Thesis Honors Advisor - Keywords:
- biomechanics
gait analysis
anthropometry
simulations
dynamics
OpenSim
amputees - Abstract:
- Gait analysis is a clinically relevant method to assess walking patterns in rehabilitating patients, especially transtibial amputees. Prior work in biomechanics has detailed the impacts of below-the-knee amputation and anthropometric characteristics on patient gait, but little work has been done in the intersection of these fields, particularly with consideration towards the contralateral (intact) limb. This study utilizes OpenSim, a biomechanics simulation package, to investigate the impact of anthropometry on the stresses and response behavior of the hip, knee, and ankle joints in the contralateral limb of transtibial amputees. Six total groups, comprising of able-bodied and left amputee variants of three anthropometric percentiles (5th, 50th, and 95th) were defined. Musculoskeletal geometry, gait, and ground reaction force data for each model were sourced from a healthy subject and appropriately adjusted based on trends in amputation status and anthropometry from literature. Inverse dynamics operations were performed on each model, yielding normalized moment data as well as a calculated moment proportion, quantifying the relative stress on the right, contralateral limb. The interaction between anthropometry and amputation was significant for amputees during stance phase, where the 95th percentile model had a significantly higher moment proportion compared to other percentiles. Results indicate the need for special clinical focus on the ankle of heavier, taller amputees, along with the prescription of appropriate prosthetic componentry with a sufficient range of motion, to prevent long-term joint damage within the lower extremities. Initial data is preliminary, but serves as a foundation for additional simulations and related work in biomechanics simulations.