The Center of Pressure Velocity as a Discriminant of Static Alignment in Transtibial Prostheses

Alignment of transtibial prostheses is a key factor in the rehabilitation of individuals with below-knee amputation. Despite being performed by trained and experienced personnel, alignment often relies on observational methods, highlighting the need for technological tools that provide objective guidance in the placement of prosthesis components. A case study has been conducted, measuring the Center of Pressure (CoP) in five participants with transtibial amputation at three different locations within the socket: alignment, flexion, and extension. Variability in CoP velocity has been found in relation to socket location, and two computational models (decision trees and KNN K-Nearest Neighbors) have been generated to determine the correct socket placement. The computational models have demonstrated an accuracy of 0.677 for the decision tree and 0.787 for KNN, discriminating the socket positions based on CoP velocity. This provides valuable information to medical professional for evaluating alignment and supports the rehabilitation process. Overall, the text presents significant research on the alignment of transtibial prostheses and offers a potential solution to the need for technological tools to improve the accuracy and objectivity of the alignment process.