A study that compared the effect of Ottobock’s Genium and C-Leg prostheses on knee flexion angles, gait, and level of impairment in people with transfemoral amputations has been published online in the journal Clinical Biomechanics. The researchers behind the study found that the Genium knee generally increased flexion during swing and stance phases, relative to the C-Leg, potentially decreasing the level of impairment.
The study used a randomized experimental crossover method with 25 people with transfemoral amputations and an observational sample of five non-amputee controls. Genium and C-Leg users showed significant impairment relative to the non-amputee control group. Gait analysis was completed with a 3D, eight-camera Vicon motion tracking system as the participants walked at different speeds on level ground while using ankle weights and on ramps with 5 and 10 degree slopes.
The study found that use of the Genium resulted in a 5 degree increase in peak knee flexion during swing phase and a 2 degree increase during the stance phase, compared to the C-Leg. Additionally, there was a high degree of variability between subjects, and significant differences remain between the Genium group and the control group’s knee flexion angles for most speeds and slopes. As this study demonstrates differences between the knees, it can help prosthetists determine if the Genium will provide functional benefits to individual patients, the researchers wrote.