Foreword from a Clinical Biomechanist, Applied Physiologist and Prosthetist teaching graduate students in Prosthetics & Orthotics. While there are many books on Biomechanics, arguably the quintessential science of limb prosthetics, none addresses the fundamental principles in sufficient detail and depth to be practically useful to the prosthetist, rehabilitation specialist or researcher. Dr. Pitkin's monograph is an exemplary collection of theoretical principles from his research and o- ers, presented in its clinical and applied biomechanics form. The textbook provides an excellent overview of the many facets of lower limb prosthetic design and engineering for the ardent clinician researcher and student. The book delves into many of the basic concepts that are required knowledge for the clinician and the scientist to have as the foundation for their work. Dr. Pitkin has an e- quent manner in which he reflects on the history and literature to tell the storied evolution of prosthetic design . He takes the reader on a journey to consider his theories, which have substantive foundations to contemplate. By the end of chapter one, we have the basic h- tory and an appreciation for the rationale behind the "rolling joint ankle" with evidence to support his theoretical views.

LOWER LIMB PROSTHESIS

Importance of Increasing the Functionality of Lower Limb Prostheses
Normalization of the Gait Characteristics as a Means to Increase a Prosthesis's Functionality
Lower Limb Prosthesis as Biotechnical System
BIOMECHANICS OF NORMAL GAIT AND CRITERIA OF THE ANTHROPOMORPHICITY OF PROSTHESIS
Methods of Gait Analysis
Ballistic Gait in Norm
BALLISTIC GAIN ON PROSTHESIS
Active and Passive Moments In Joints
Model of the Step Cycle
Compensatory Synergy During Gait on Prosthesis
Modeling of One-Leg Balancing
THEORY OF DESIGNING THE ANTHROPOMORPHIC LOWER LIMB PROSTHESES
Synthesis of a Mechanism of Artificial Prosthetic Joint
Development and Testing of the Prosthetic Ankle
Development and Testing of the Prosthetic Knee Joint
TESTING OF THE EXPERIMENTAL PROSTHESES
Program
Results
Biomechanical Testing of the Rolling Foot with Adjustable Stiffness
Monitoring
PRINCIPLE OF SPECTRAL RECIPROCITY IN BIOMECHANICS OF LOCOMOTION AND REHABILITATION.