How does the inherent asymmetry of the locomotor system in people with lowerlimb amputation affect the anklefoot rollover shape of prosthetic walking? In a singlecase design, we evaluated the walking patterns of six people with lowerlimb amputation (3 transtibial and 3 transfemoral) and three matched nondisabled controls. We analyzed the walking patterns in terms of rollover characteristics and spatial and temporal factors. We determined the level of asymmetry by rollover shape comparison (rootmeansquare distance) as well as differences in radius of curvature. In addition, we calculated ratios to determine spatial and temporal asymmetries and described different aspects of asymmetry of rollover shapes. All participants showed some level of asymmetry in rollover shape, even the nondisabled controls. Furthermore, we found good intralimb reproducibility for the group as a whole. With respect to spatial and temporal factors, the participants with transtibial amputation had a quite symmetrical gait pattern, while the gait in the participants with transfemoral amputation was more asymmetrical. The individual anklefoot rollover shapes provide additional insight into the marked individual adjustments occurring during the stance phase of the nondisabled limb. The two methods we present are suitable for determining asymmetry of rollover shapes; both methods should be used complementarily.
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