Gait performance under pathological conditions

A brief summary is given of conclusions derived from several investigations, including a study concerned with structural optimization of lower limb prostheses. The emphasis is on obtaining criteria for evaluation of human performance as well as understanding the compensatory function modification, which is primarily of psychological nature. Major conclusions are: (1) In joint realignment procedures such as osteotomy, if pain is eliminated, significant enhancement of performance is noted. (2) In joint replacement procedures, the results are mixed. (3) In ankle joint fusion, triple arthrodesis in particular, successful surgery often yields a painless site. However, the procedure is radical from the mechanical point of view and can produce a general discomfort and ultimate failure of more proximal joints. (4) Lower limb prostheses that are ´softly´ interfaced to the stump produce the most versatile response. Here, pain is also the most dominant factor in the influence of performance.<>