Study tests new prosthetic foot for improved walking on uneven surfaces

A recent study in the Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics evaluated a new prosthetic foot designed to move more naturally on uneven ground by adding extra side-to-side flexibility. The new foot did offer more side-to-side movement that could be useful for people who need to walk on uneven surfaces or side step regularly. While the new foot was more flexible, it didn’t improve overall walking speed, stride length, or balance. 

The research was conducted by Associate Professor Murray E. Maitland, PT, PhD; Associate Professor Donald J. Fogelberg, OTR/L; and Assistant Professor Andrew T. Humbert, PhD. Also involved were Sheri I. Imsdahl, PhD, former research engineer, and Kevin C. Cain, PhD, former statistician, who have both moved on from the University of Washington, as well as colleagues from WillowWood Global LLC.