Joint Force Loading at Heel Strike Before and After Osseointegration Protocol
Date of Award
Spring 5-2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Orthotics and Prosthetics
Department
Kinesiology
First Advisor
Amy Funke
Abstract
Abstract
Osteoarthritis is 10-17 times more prevalent in the amputee community, especially in those who are unilateral lower extremity amputees. Traditional socket prostheses fail to address this increased risk, and identification of the possible benefit to this increased risk with an osseointegrated prostheses is formerly unknown. Osseointegrated prostheses are an alternative to socket prostheses that directly attach to the residual limb via a bone-anchored implant. The objective was to identify if osseointegration offers a decreased joint loading response in unilateral transfemoral amputees than a traditional socket prosthesis. Identification of this topic included the use of motion capture system and force plates to calculate biomechanical data during ambulation on a walking platform. With 20 participants, data was collected 30 days prior to osseointegration surgery and one year post osseointegration surgery to allow time for accustoming and healing. Identifying if osseointegration provides a decreased risk of osteoarthritis allowed clinical practitioners to better treat their patient’s pain, recommend osseointegration protocol to qualifying patients, and better the development of socket prostheses to mimic osseointegrated prostheses to better obtain biomechanical advantages.