source: Bill Dupes’s original post published on this website
OF ALL PROSTHETIC COMPONENTS, THE KNEE SYSTEM IS ARGUABLY THE MOST COMPLEX. IT MUST PROVIDE RELIABLE SUPPORT WHEN STANDING, ALLOW SMOOTH, CONTROLLED MOTION WHEN WALKING, AND PERMIT UNRESTRICTED MOVEMENT FOR SITTING, BENDING AND KNEELING.
Prosthetic knees have evolved greatly over time, from the simple pendulum of the 1600s to those regulated by rubber 
bands and springs or pneumatic or hydraulic components. Now, some knee units have advanced motion control modulated through microprocessors. For the transfemoral (above-knee, including hip and knee disarticulation) amputee, successful function depends on selecting the correct knee to fit the person’s age, health, activity level and lifestyle. The latest or advanced knee is not necessarily the best choice for everyone. For some amputees, safety and stability are more important than functional performance. Active amputees, on the other hand, prefer a knee that will give them a higher level of function even if it requires greater control.
Given the wide variety of choices and consumer needs, prosthetists and rehabilitation specialists can help amputees choose the best prosthetic knees for their individual requirements. They can also teach amputees how to use their new knees properly, which is critical for avoiding discomfort, stumbling and falling. A key way to evaluate an individual’s prosthetic needs is to observe his or her walking cycle, which can be divided into two parts: the “stance phase” (when the leg is on the ground supporting the body) and the “swing phase” (when the leg is off the ground, also referred to as “extension”). The happy medium between these two extremes (stance, or stability, versus ease of swing, or flexion) is different for each individual.
Although over 100 individual knee mechanisms are commercially available, they can be divided into two major classifications: mechanical and computerized. Mechanical knees can be further separated into two groups: single-axis knees and polycentric, or multiaxis, knees. All knee units, regardless of their level of complexity, require additional mechanisms for stability (manual or weight-activated locking systems) and additional mechanisms for control of motion (constant or variable friction and “fluid” pneumatic or hydraulic control).
Single-Axis Vs. Polycentric Knees
The single-axis knee, essentially a simple hinge, is generally considered the “workhorse” of the basic knee classes due to its 
relative simplicity, which makes it the most economical, most durable, and lightest option available. Single-axis knees do have limitations, however. By virtue of their simplicity, amputees must use their own muscle power to keep them stable when standing. To compensate for this, the single-axis knee often incorporates a constant friction control and a manual lock. The friction keeps the leg from swinging forward too quickly as it swings through to the next step.
Polycentric knees, also referred to as “fourbar” knees, are more complex in design and have multiple axes of rotation. Their versatility is the primary reason for their popularity. They can be set up to be very stable during early stance phase, yet easy to bend to initiate the swing phase or to sit down. Another popular feature of the knee’s design is that the leg’s overall length shortens when a step is initiated, reducing the risk of stumbling. Polycentric knees are suitable for a wide range of amputees. Various versions are ideal for amputees who can’t walk securely with other knees, have knee disarticulation or bilateral leg amputations, or have long residual limbs. A standard polycentric knee has a simple mechanical swing control that provides an optimal single walking speed; however, many polycentric knees incorporate fluid (pneumatic or hydraulic) swing control to permit variable walking speeds. The most common limitation of the polycentric design is that the range of motion about the knee may be restricted to some degree, though usually not enough to pose a significant problem. Polycentric knees are also heavier and contain parts that may need to be serviced or replaced more often than those of other types of prosthetic knees.
Microprocessor Knees
Microprocessor knees are a relatively new development in prosthetic technology. Onboard sensors detect movement and timing and then 
adjust a fluid /air control cylinder accordingly. These microprocessor-controlled knees lower the amount of effort amputees must use to control their timing, resulting in a more natural gait. In spite of all of the amazing inventions and constant tweaks and improvements, the perfect prosthetic knee has yet to be invented; otherwise, there wouldn’t be over 100 different designs on the market. As advanced as the technology seems today compared to the earliest designs of the 1600s, one can only imagine the developments that will eventually result as researchers further explore the potential of mechanical, hydraulic, computerized and “bionic,” or neuroprosthetic, technology.
– by the way, my CV is finally up-to-date! –
andreacollo 