Energy storage foot material

What are energy storing and return prosthetic feet?

Energy storing and return prosthetic (ESAR) feet have been available for decades. These prosthetic feet include carbon fiber components, or other spring-like material, that allow storing of mechanical energy during stance and releasing this energy during push-off .

Are energy storing and return (ESAR) feet a good choice?

Energy storing and return (ESAR) feet are generally preferred over solid ankle cushioned heel (SACH) feet by people with a lower limb amputation. While ESAR feet have been shown to have only limited effect on gait economy, other functional benefits should account for this preference.

What are prosthetic feet & how do they work?

These prosthetic feet include carbon fiber components, or other spring-like material, that allow storing of mechanical energy during stance and releasing this energy during push-off . This property has long been claimed to reduce the metabolic energy required for walking and hence improve walking economy.

Does energy storing and return (ESAR) prosthetic foot enhance center of mass propulsion?

In conclusion, this study showed that the energy storing and return (ESAR) prosthetic foot can enhance center of mass propulsion, thereby allowing a symmetric gait pattern while preserving the backward margin of stability.

Are ESAR feet better than Sach feet?

Compared to the SACH foot, the ESAR foot allowed an improvement of step length symmetry while preserving the backward margin of stability at community ambulation speed. These benefits may possibly contribute to the subjective preference for ESAR feet in people with a lower limb amputation.

Do ESAR feet improve gait economy?

While ESAR feet have been shown to have only limited effect on gait economy, other functional benefits should account for this preference. A simple biomechanical model suggests that enhanced gait stability and gait symmetry could prove to explain part of the difference in the subjective preference between both feet.