Prospective value of a backward-walking controller for a swing-assist knee prosthesis

This article assesses the prospective functionality and value of a backward-walking (BW)-specific controller implemented on a swing-assist knee prosthesis prototype, relative to BW functionality offered by conventional daily-use prostheses. The BW control structure is presented and subsequently assessed in an overground experimental protocol involving four individuals with transfemoral amputation, comparing metrics associated with BW when using the dedicated BW controller to walking with daily-use conventional prostheses. Results indicate that the swing-assist BW controller provided significantly greater swing phase knee flexion, higher heel clearance, and reduced hip compensation compared to daily-use devices.