8.2.8 Walking backwards
When the toe is put down first while walking backwards, the ankle joint only
drops as far as the neutral position in the dorsiflexion direction. As a result, the
preceding rollover motion is balanced out and the user can stand safely.
8.2.9 Walking up a ramp
With the first step, the foot is already adjusted to the inclination of the ramp,
making a rollover possible if the step is on the heel or middle of the foot. In
order to do so, the lower leg should positioned almost perpendicular to the
surface of the ramp and the full area of the foot should be placed on the sur
face.
When stepping on the forefoot with the lower leg at a steep angle (e.g. on very
steep ramps), the foot secures dorsiflexion, which enables the body to be lif
ted in a stable manner.
8.2.10 Standing on inclined surface
Standing on an inclined ground surface is no different to standing on a level
surface. The foot stabilises in dorsiflexion when the lower leg is perpendicular.
Put weight on the heel in order to lower the forefoot (e.g. when standing in a
downward direction).
Perform one of the following motions in order to continue to walk on a down
ward-sloping ground surface from the standing position:
•
•
The relief function can be used when standing on an inclined surface (see
Page 57).
Wearing shoes with heels limits the range of incline, so it may not be possible
to achieve a perpendicular lower leg.
8.2.11 Kneeling
If the leg with the joint is tilted backwards, plantar flexion damping is reduced,
making it possible for the foot to bend so the lower leg can lie flatter to the
ground surface.
56 | Ottobock
Start the first step with the prosthesis side.
Deliberately produce a rollover motion with the prosthesis side.
The prosthetic foot then yields in dorsiflexion, in order to allow the body's
centre of gravity to drop before the heel of the other leg strikes.