A variety of low cost prosthetic feet exist, but sufficient data on these kinds of feet is limited. This study evaluated the effects of the Niagara Foot™ on an amputee performing walking tasks. Specifically, the study determined the effects of this foot on the amputee’s residual knee compared to the amputee’s current prosthetic foot. An active transtibial amputee was used to perform walking tasks across a force plate to collect ground reaction forces of the amputee while wearing the Niagara Foot and the Ottobock® 1C31+ Trias. Motion capture was used to record the amputee’s movements in the room. The data collected was used to determine the amputee’s residual limb knee moment with each foot. The purpose of this investigation was to further research in the area of prosthetics used in developing countries.

The Niagara Foot is known to cause loading problems on parts of the leg prosthesis. This study was conducted to understand the effects the foot has on the knee as loading is increased in other parts of the leg prosthesis. Moreover, it was able to determine that the Niagara Foot significantly reduces the flexion angle of the knee and increases the knee moment at loading response. From observation, the amputee altered his gait to complete the walking tasks with the Niagara Foot, which correlates with the data collected. In addition, the amputee completed a survey of the foot. His feedback stated that the foot is a good low cost solution, but he would not recommend it for long term use.