Three-dimensional kinematic characteristics of motion of lower limb joints in stroke patients with chronic hemiplegia

Abstract

To quantitatively analyze the three-dimensional kinematic features of the motion of lower limb joints in stroke patients with chronic hemiplegia. A three-dimensional motion analysis system was used to measure the gait of 39 patients with chronic hemiplegia due to stroke, 12 males and 15 females, aged 57.11 +/- 9.58 (43 - 75), who could walk at least 10 m independently without a walking aid, and 27 sex and age-matched non-disabled controls. The values of range of motion (ROM) of hip and knee of the stroke patients were 34 - 39 degrees and 50 - 58 degrees respectively, both significantly lower than those of the controls (40 - 45 degrees and 65 - 72 degrees respectively, both P < 0.01), however, the ROM of ankle of the stroke patients was 22 - 28 degrees, not significantly different from that of the controls (26 - 30 degrees, P > 0.05). The hip extension and ankle dorsiflexion of the stroke patients were 1 - 4 degrees and 8 - 10 degrees respectively, both significantly lower than those of the controls (14 - 19 degrees and 14 - 16 degrees respectively, both P < 0.01), however, the genuflex of the stroke patients was 59 - 66 degrees, not significantly different from that of the controls (65 - 69 degrees, P > 0.05). The ratio of the weak and sound sides (W/S) of hip extension and the W/S value of ankle dorxiflexion of the stroke patients were 0.33 +/- 0.40 and 0.65 +/- 0.22, both significantly lower than those of the controls (1.06 +/- 0.29 and 0.99 +/- 0.27, both P < 0.01), however, the W/S value of genuflex of the stroke patients was 0.90 +/- 0.23, not significantly different from that of the controls (1.01 +/- 0.07, P < 0.05). Lack of motion of lower limb joints in the weak side and asymmetry of lower limb motion between the weak and sound sides are the characteristics of the hemiplegic gait in stroke.