Abstract: Objective To investigate the characteristics of walking ability of the amputees with unilateral transfemoral prosthesis. Methods 16 unilateral transfemoral amputees (patients) and 16 healthy adults (controls) were tested with 6-minute walking test indoor, 1000 m walking outdoor on various terrain, balance test and energy expenditure test. Results The speed, frequency and stride length were significantly less in the patients than in the controls (P<0.05) in the indoor 6-minute walking test, and the cycle of gait and energy expenditure were significantly more (P<0.05); single support time, double and single/double support time were different (P<0.05). In balance tests, there was no significant difference in the total track length, confidence ellipse area, maximum horizontal deviation and maximum vertical deviation between the patients and the controls (P>0.05). There were significant differences in time and energy expenditure of outdoor 1000 m walk test between two groups (P<0.05). There were significant differences in time of outdoor 1000 m walk test and distance of indoor walking test between amputees wearing mechanical four-link prosthetic knee joint and fluid control prosthetic knee joint (P<0.05), but not in energy expenditure of indoor and outdoor walking test. Conclusion The amputees with unilateral transfemoral prosthesis appear the inefficient in gait, and expend more energy. Their balance remains well. The transfemoral prosthesis the amputees wore may impact their walking ability.

Key words: transfemoral amputees, transfemoral prosthesis, walking, rehabilitation, evaluation