The load actuated brake knee for above-knee prostheses is very commonly used. This knee is useful in stopping knee collapse during stance. However, its braking effects during walking and its mechanical characteristics are not clear. Therefore, we undertook the following research: (1) Measurement of brake moment for various load actuated brake knees. (2) Measurement of knee moment with above-knee prostheses using pylon study. A physical testing device was produced and the relation between load and brake moment of the knee was measured. Brake moment was substantially different between various knees. Knee moment was measured by pylon study on four above-knee amputees during their walk on 1) a leveled floor with standard alignment stability, 2) reduced alignment stability, and 3) descending ramps, all both with and without load actuated brake knee. At the moment of heel contact, knee stability is gained by alignment stability and the action of hip moment, but the load actuated brake knee does not play any role. The load actuated brake knee can prevent knee collapse at the beginning of the stance phase, but at the same time interferes with knee flexion at the end of the stance phase.
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Tominaga et al. (1984) studied this question.