Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Volume 88, Issue 9 , Pages 1159-1163 , September 2007

Mechanics of Ambulation With Standard and Spring-Loaded Crutches

Presented in part to the American Society of Biomechanics, September 2006, Blacksburg, VA, September 6-9, 2006.

  • Adriana Segura, BS

      Affiliations

    • Department of Kinesiology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
    • ,
  • Stephen J. Piazza, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Kinesiology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
    • Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
    • Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA.
    • Corresponding Author InformationReprint requests to Stephen J. Piazza, PhD, 29 Recreation Bldg, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802

  • Image Result

    A subject walking with spring-loaded crutches. Five reflective markers placed on the left crutch were used to track crutch motions from which spatiotemporal variables were calculated. Subjects perform

    A subject walking with spring-loaded crutches. Five reflective markers placed on the left crutch were used to track crutch motions from which spatiotemporal variables were calculated. Subjects performed 10 trials for each crutch for which only the left crutch tip struck the forceplate.

  • Image Result
    The peak ground reaction force (GRF) averaged across trials for each subject. For 7 of 10 subjects, peak ground reaction force was higher for spring-loaded crutches (P=.001). Bars indicate ±1 standard

    The peak ground reaction force (GRF) averaged across trials for each subject. For 7 of 10 subjects, peak ground reaction force was higher for spring-loaded crutches (P=.001). Bars indicate ±1 standard deviation (SD).

  • Image Result
    The maximum rate of force rise over any 10-ms interval averaged across trials for each subject. For each of the 10 subjects, the rate of force rise was lower for spring-loaded crutches than for standa

    The maximum rate of force rise over any 10-ms interval averaged across trials for each subject. For each of the 10 subjects, the rate of force rise was lower for spring-loaded crutches than for standard crutches (P<.001). Bars indicate ±1 SD.

  • Image Result
    The magnitude of the impulse of the ground reaction force over first 50ms of crutch stance phase averaged across trials for each subject. For each of the 10 subjects, the impulse magnitude was smaller

    The magnitude of the impulse of the ground reaction force over first 50ms of crutch stance phase averaged across trials for each subject. For each of the 10 subjects, the impulse magnitude was smaller for spring-loaded crutches than for standard crutches (P<.001). Bars indicate ±1 SD.

  • Image Result
    Vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) traces for the 10 spring-loaded crutch trials of subject 1. The considerable intertrial variability in loading patterns shown here was evident for all subjects an

    Vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) traces for the 10 spring-loaded crutch trials of subject 1. The considerable intertrial variability in loading patterns shown here was evident for all subjects and for both the spring-loaded and standard crutch types.

 Supported by the National Science Foundation (grant no. BES-0134217).

 No commercial party having a direct financial interest in the results of the research supporting this article has or will confer a benefit upon the author(s) or upon any organization with which the author(s) is/are associated.

PII: S0003-9993(07)00422-4

doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2007.05.026

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Volume 88, Issue 9 , Pages 1159-1163 , September 2007

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