Reducing residual limb adipose tissue via surgery alters foursquare stepping mechanics of a transfemoral amputee

As prosthetic technology advances, performance improvement is expected for persons with amputation to accomplish their daily activities. However, prosthesis research often overlooks the interface between the residual limb of the user and the prosthetic socket. This case study analyzed the influence of the local mechanical properties of the residual limb on biomechanics during non-steady movements. Before and after a unique surgery removing excess adipose tissue in the residual limb, an obese transfemoral amputee performed foursquare step tests. Post-surgery, the subject moved more fluidly. The increased maneuverability is characterized by increased stepping speed, less sharp direction changes, and more efficient movement path, and these movement qualities were quantified by task completion time, radius of curvature, and distance travelled, respectively.