Theses and Dissertations

Date of Award

8-1-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Mechanical Engineering

First Advisor

Hafizur Rahman

Second Advisor

Dumitru Caruntu

Third Advisor

Weiguang Yang

Abstract

This research aims to understand the physiological changes that the human body undergoes post partial foot amputation (PFA). A total of three studies were conducted to fully comprehend biomechanical changes and adjustments that occur during locomotion for affected individuals. The first study of this thesis focuses on obtaining kinematic data for both the ankle joint angle and ankle joint torque for the healthy population, as well as for the affected PFA population. Results were compared, and notable differences were present between the two. The second study of this thesis dealt with individual muscle forces. To obtain the muscle force data, the ‘Computed Muscle Control’ tool from OpenSim was used to calculate muscle force data based on kinematic readings and actuators to represent virtual muscles. The results were obtained for the plantar flexors of the ankle, dorsiflexors of the ankle, gastrocnemius, soleus, and tibialis anterior. The results were compared between the healthy population and the affected PFA population. The third study of this thesis focused on muscle activation levels solely within the affected PFA population. Surface electromyography (EMG) was used to collect the data for the vastus lateralis, tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius, soleus, and tibialis anterior. Results were compared between the contralateral and ipsilateral limbs of PFA patients.

Comments

Copyright 2025 Anthony Arnoldo Melgar. All Rights Reserved.https://proquest.com/docview/3275324797

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