Spatiotemporal characteristics of gait in partial foot amputation versus peripheral neuropathy

Abstract

Background: Partial foot amputation (PFA) is defined as a surgical loss of part of either the forefoot or mid-foot. It is usually secondary to physiological foot dysfunctions such as peripheral neuropathy (PN). The effect of amputation on spatiotemporal characteristics of gait in patients with PFA secondary to PN is still not well established yet Purpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of PFA on characteristics of gait in patients with PFA secondary to PN compared to PN patients without amputation. Methods: Cadence, stance, swing, double limb support, stride time, step length, and stride length were assessed for 53 participants divided into two groups; (A) PFA group: 25 subjects with healed unilateral PFA and (B) PN Groups: 28 subjects with PN with neither ulcer nor amputation. The gait analysis was conducted at a self-selected speed using the STT three-dimensional motion analysis system. Results: The MANOVA main effect revealed no significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.102). The post hoc test revealed no significant difference between the two groups in all spatiotemporal variables (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Both groups walked at a slow cadence, taking short steps with increased percentage of stance and double limb support.