There have been a many reports of observational analysis on hip disarticulation prosthetic ambulation, but not a scientific analysis by a computerized motion analyzer. We present to share with our professional colleague our invaluable experience gained from the study on the gait analysis of a left hip disarticulation prosthetic gait.

Using a Vicon 370 three dimensional gait analysis system, the gait analysis was performed in a left hip disarticulation patient fitted with a left Canadian type hip disarticulation prosthesis.

In linear parameters, the cadence showed 79 steps/min, the gait speed was 0.68 m/sec, and the double support phase was 25.27% of a total gait cycle. In kinematics, the maximal pelvic tilt angle showed 29.92^o at pre-swing phase, and significantly increased as compared with normal person. Hip motion change remained flexed, and maximal knee flexion angle disclosed 22.07^o at the terminal stage of initial swing phase. In kinetics, the hip extension moment on initial contact stage was 0.089 NM/kg, which was impaired being compared with normal person.

In conclusion, the increased pelvic tilt which implies that initiation of a prosthetic gait for hip disarticulation comes from a forward swing of the pelvis on the affected side, and an overall decrease of gait parameters accounts for the degree of disability of hip disarticulation amputee.