A comparison of the SACH and single axis foot in the gait of unilateral below-knee amputees.

The gait patterns of unilateral below-knee amputees wearing prostheses with either a SACH foot or a single axis foot were compared. A temporary below-knee prosthesis was fabricated for each subject using plaster of Paris and Plastazote for the socket, a pylon and an artificial foot. Eight subjects were filmed at two separate sessions, one in which the SACH foot was worn on their prosthesis and one with the single axis foot on their prosthesis. Measurements of the normal leg with a SACH foot on the prosthetic limb were compared to measurements of the normal leg with a single axis foot on the prosthesis. Measurements of the prosthetic leg with both devices were also compared. A one tailed t test (p<.05) was used to determine statistical significance of the results obtained in six measurements of lower limb joint angles and on the percentage of the time of gait cycle for stance and swing phase of the prosthetic leg. Discussion centres on the interpretation of the results from both statistical and clinical points of view. Major differences (excepting the ankle at foot-flat) between the prosthetic devices were not found. Introduction The two artificial feet used in this study were the single axis foot and the SACH (solid ankle cushion heel) foot. These devices seem to be the most commonly used at present. Throughout the 1970’s the SACH foot was the artificial foot of choice in North America when fitting the majority of below-knee amputees (Fishman, et