ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to fabricate a solid ankle cushion heel (SACH foot) and comparison of the differences and effect of this SACH foot on the cardiovascular responses and gait efficiency of fifteen unilateral transtibial amputees with foreign SACH foot and Single axis foot. The SACH foot was fabricated using available local materials. The patients were recruited from Royal Prosthetic and Orthotic Clinic, Egbu, Owerri. The systolic, diastolic blood pressure and heart rate of the subjects were measured and recorded before and after the 30 meters ambulation. Also the temporal gait parameters like time,velocity, stride length, step length, and cadence were measured. SPSS version 7 was used to analyze the comparison before and after ambulation. No significant difference was found on the effect of LOC SACH, SACH and SAF on the blood pressure and heart rate of the subject before and after the 30-meter ambulation, P>0.05. Also there is no significant different on the gait efficiency of the subjects while using the three feet during ambulation, P