A spot check to ensure the quality of matching of kinematic and kinetic data collected during clinical gait analysis

Abstract

gait this pattern is believed to be due to a dynamic dysbalance of hip flexors and hip extensors. In contrast to a so called ‘single bump’ pattern in hemiplegic gait the identification of a muscles contribution to a ‘double bump’ pattern is difficult because both sides are affected and multi joint muscles are involved. Although the ‘double bump’ is easy to identify by the use of gait analysis the clinical decision making upon the dysbalance depends mostly on static clinical tests. Reduced extension of the hip in terminal stance can be interpreted as a sign of contracture of the M. psoas major. As the hip joint motion in the sagittal plane is easily quantifiable by gait analysis one may take an extension deficit of the hip as a valid parameters for a hip flexor pathology. As trunk position (COG position) sets certain requirements for the range of hip movement it is essential to monitor trunk segment kinematics. Therefore, an extension deficit at the hip joint requires consideration of the trunk position additionally to the influence of multi joint muscles. A forefoot landing presented by a diplegic patient often raises interest in the activation behaviour of the M. triceps surae under dynamic conditions. Spastic muscle behaviour could be identified through qualitative evaluation of high angle accelerations, power absorption-generation patterns or through a sharp increase in high power EMG signals during loading response but by now we know of no valid parameter to quantify muscle activation behaviour in spastic diplegic gait.