Introduction: Lower limb amputation is the most commonly performed amputation, which leads to the loss of walking ability. In such case a person needs a prosthesis, which replaces the lost limb, which allows the person to walk again. Bionic prosthesis have a mechanical and an active component. Besides bionic prosthetics also bionic orthotics are developed lately. They are used mostly in rehabilitation of patients with different health conditions. Purpose: To review the literature in the field of bionic prosthesis and orthosis and present the most recent findings. Methods: For the thesis we used a descriptive method of research, literature review was performed using various databases. Results: Five studies examined the recent developments of bionic prosthesis, orthosis and eksoskeletons. Studies that focused on walking cycle have proved that walking cycle with the use of bionic prosthesis is comparable with walking cycle of subjects without amputation. It has also been found that the use of bionic prosthesis reduces the energy cost of walking. Control of the bionic prosthesis with electromyography signals was also investigated and they came to the conclusion that it was successful. The remaining articles in this field dealt with the development of systems for the control of bionic prosthesis. Studies in the field of bionic orthotics focused on the rehabilitation of subjects with the use of a bionic orthosis. One of the studies gives us guidelines for measuring the impact of using a bionic orthosis on biomechanical, cardiovascular and functional outcomes of the subjects and in another one they recorded improvements in walking speed, step length and endurance of the subjects. Another research was carried out for orthosis preventing foot drop. They developed a control system for those who cannot control their orthosis with electromyography. Two articles concentrate on describing an active orthosis and exoskeletons for rehabilitation. Discussion and conclusion: Investigators included subjects with different types of amputation and health conditions, which makes it difficult to compare studies to each other. Moreover, the results cannot be generalized to the whole population, as some have included a small number of subjects. Despite the fact that many developments in the field of bionic prosthesis and orthosis are still needed, studies in this field demonstrate better functional rehabilitation with the use of bionic orthosis and lower energy cost with better walking symmetry in subjects who used a bionic prosthesis.
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