The Correlations Between Walking Analysis Parameters and Q1–Q4 Angles in the Experimental Animal Model of Sciatic Nerve Injury

Abstract

In the study conducted by Margiana et al., 2015, it has been known that the angle parameters around the point which acts as the meeting point of the lines between the heel and the third fingertip and between finger one and finger five (Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4) are strongly correlated with Sciatic Functional Index (SFI), Tibial Functional Index (TFI) and Peroneal Functional Index (PFI) in experimental animals with normal walking function, however, whether these parameters can be used in cases of injury is unknown. This study aimed to prove that Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4 are correlated with SFI, TFI and PFI. This experimental study used 36 Sprague-Dawley rats as the experimental animals that had been approved by the FKUI Ethics Commission. The Seddon 5 classification was done on the rats with end-to-end suture. The rats were allowed to walk in a hallway and different color inks had firstly been given on each rat’s paws. After the formation of foot prints, the measurement of all parameters was made. The Spearman correlation (SPSS 23) analysis showed that there were correlations between SFI, TFI, PFI and Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4. The correlation coefficient range (r) were categorized as medium correlation. The conclusion of the research that has been conducted is that there are significant correlations between Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4 with SFI. Thus, Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4 can be used as one of the predictors of walking function.