We tested whether the metabolic energy cost of walking with the ankles immobilized can be comparable to normal walking. Immobilization of any lower extremity joint usually causes greater energy expenditure. Fixation of the ankle might be expected to eliminate the work it normally performs, to detrimental effect. But fixation using lightweight boots with curved rocker bottoms can also bring some...

BACKGROUND A suggested link between ambulatory mechanics and injury development has resulted in significant interest the development of footwear to change locomotion patterns. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that there will be significant changes in the kinematics and kinetics at the ankle and minimal changes at the knee and hip in the mechanics of running in a shoe with a ...

BACKGROUND The failure of nonsurgical treatment of patients with midfoot and hindfoot deformity secondary to diabetic Charcot arthropathy may lead to a rocker-bottom foot deformity with recurrent or persistent plantar ulceration. We report our experience with realignment and extended fusion with primary use of a medial column screw for this midfoot deformity. METHODS From July 2001 through Ju...

In this paper, we propose a newly developed suspension system called “Pentad Grade Assist Suspension (PEGASUS)”. PEGASUS has high mobility as well as rocker-bogie suspension, with very simple mechanism called only-one-joint architecture. PEGASUS is able to successfully climb up on the stepalike terrain with low energy consumption by scale model test. The prototype of micro planetary rover Micro...