Clinical Benefits of Hydraulic Ankles

Our hydraulic technology provides benefits to the user that can help to improve their quality of life and sustain a healthy body.

Improved Safety

18% increase in toe clearance reduces the chance of trip and falls.3

Balanced Limb Loading

Reduced chance of long term limb disease.7,8

Greater Control and Stability

Increased confidence in walking and negotiating variable terrain.4,5

Improved Energy Efficiency

10% reduction in energy cost.7

Greater Comfort

60% reduction in socket stress6

Patient Satisfaction

33.4% increase for bilateral patients.5

Next: Explore our range of Hydraulic Ankle products

*References

1. Hungerford DS, Cockin J. Fate of the retained lower limb joints in Second World War amputees. J Bone Joint Surg. 1975; 57(1):111.

2. Kulkarni J, Gaine WJ, Buckley JG, Rankine JJ, Adams J. Chronic low back pain in traumatic lower limb amputees. Clinical rehabilitation. 2005;19(1):81-6

3. L. Johnson, A.R. De Asha, R. Munjal, J. Kulkani, J. G. Buckley. Toe clearance when walking in people with unilateral transtibial amputation: Effects of passive hydraulic ankle. Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development (JRRD) 2014; 51 (3), 429-438

4. V Struchkov, J.Buckley. Biomechanics of ramp descent in unilateral trans-tibial amputees: Comparison of a microprocessor controlled foot with conventional ankle-foot mechanisms. Clinical Biomechanics. 2016, vol32, p164-170

5. I. Sedki, R. Moore. Patient evaluation of the Echelon foot using the Seattle Prosthesis Evaluation Questionnaire. Prosthetics and Orthotics International 2013; 37(3), 250-254

6. S. Portnoy, A. Kristal, A. Gefen, I. Siev-Ner. Outdoor dynamic subject-specific evaluation of internal stresses in the residual limb: Hydraulic energy-stored prosthetic foot compared to conventional energy-stored prosthetic feet. Gait and Posture 2012; 35(1), 121-5

7. A.R. De Asha, R. Munjal, J. Kulkani, J.G. Buckley. Walking speed related joint kinetic alterations in trans-tibial amputees: impact of hydraulic ‘ankle’ damping. Journal of Neuro Engineering and Rehabilitation (JNER) 2013; 10:107

8. Moore R. Effect on Stance Phase Timing Asymmetry in Individuals with Amputation Using Hydraulic Ankle Units. JPO: Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics. 2016; 28(1):44-8.