Biomechanical assessment of persons with bilateral transfemoral/through-knee amputations using stubby prostheses: a pilot study
File(s)
Published online version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Background:
Stubby prostheses are nonarticulated prostheses used by persons with bilateral transfemoral/through-knee amputations (BTF) either exclusively or alongside full-length articulated prostheses. The implications of stubby prosthesis use on musculoskeletal function and movement patterns are unclear. This study aims to provide insights into the biomechanics of walking with stubbies.
Methods:
Gait data were collected using a 10-camera motion capture system from 4 male traumatic BTF who exclusively use stubbies and 4 male traumatic BTF who use multiple prostheses, including stubbies and full-length articulated prostheses. Both cohorts completed level-ground walking trials wearing stubby prostheses. Muscle parameters were quantified through high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging scans.
Results:
Compared with BTF who use multiple prostheses, stubbies-only users showed lower walking speeds by 15% (0.79 vs 0.93 m/s), lower cadence by 20% (91.2 vs 114.7 steps/min), lower peak hip flexion angles by 45% (19.7° vs 35.9°), and larger peak-to-peak anterior pelvic tilt by 103% (15.8° vs 7.8°). Stubbies-only users presented lower overall muscle volume and physiological cross-sectional area.
Conclusion:
In this small cohort, full-time stubby users presented signs of muscle weakness that were not observed in those using full-length articulated prostheses. This may affect current and future functional abilities.
Stubby prostheses are nonarticulated prostheses used by persons with bilateral transfemoral/through-knee amputations (BTF) either exclusively or alongside full-length articulated prostheses. The implications of stubby prosthesis use on musculoskeletal function and movement patterns are unclear. This study aims to provide insights into the biomechanics of walking with stubbies.
Methods:
Gait data were collected using a 10-camera motion capture system from 4 male traumatic BTF who exclusively use stubbies and 4 male traumatic BTF who use multiple prostheses, including stubbies and full-length articulated prostheses. Both cohorts completed level-ground walking trials wearing stubby prostheses. Muscle parameters were quantified through high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging scans.
Results:
Compared with BTF who use multiple prostheses, stubbies-only users showed lower walking speeds by 15% (0.79 vs 0.93 m/s), lower cadence by 20% (91.2 vs 114.7 steps/min), lower peak hip flexion angles by 45% (19.7° vs 35.9°), and larger peak-to-peak anterior pelvic tilt by 103% (15.8° vs 7.8°). Stubbies-only users presented lower overall muscle volume and physiological cross-sectional area.
Conclusion:
In this small cohort, full-time stubby users presented signs of muscle weakness that were not observed in those using full-length articulated prostheses. This may affect current and future functional abilities.
Date Issued
2026-08-11
Date Acceptance
2026-04-06
Citation
Prosthetics and Orthotics International, 2026
ISSN
0309-3646
Publisher
Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
Journal / Book Title
Prosthetics and Orthotics International
Copyright Statement
© 2026 The Authors. Published by Wolters Kluwer incorporated on behalf of The International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0 (CCBY), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
License URL
Identifier
10.1097/PXR.0000000000000562
Subjects
bilateral lower limb loss
transfemoral
knee disarticulation
stubby prostheses
muscle weakness
Publication Status
Published online
Date Publish Online
2026-08-11