Treadmill gait analysis of rehabilitated and independent lower-limb amputees

Abstract

PurposeA description of gait analysis during overground locmotion has been the subject of various studies, in relation to describing both the kinetic and spatial-temporal characteristics of walking. Measuring the gait of amputees using treadmills is a useful test to quantify locomotive ability, and a tool that helps to control gait parameters during rehabilitation. The aim of this study is to describe the kinetic and spatial-temporal characteristics of gait of rehabilitated amputees, measured with an instrumented treadmill.MethodsTwenty-four participants aged between 20 and 40 years were chosen, who had all suffered unilateral traumatic amputation either above or below the knee, and were classified as well-rehabilitated. Following a paperbased assessment form, the participants were subjected to gait analysis on an instrumented treadmill fitted with two force platforms.ResultsThe first peak vertical force of intact and amputated limbs presented higher values and was significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.05) larger than the second peak vertical force for the amputated limb, indicating less propulsion during walking. A significant difference was observed in the load rate in intact and amputated limbs, indicating more overload in the intact limb. The spatial-temporal variables, cadence, step and stride length were significantly greater (<i>p</i> < 0.05) in the below-knee than in the above-knee amputees.ConclusionsThe kinetic and spatial-temporal characteristics of gait, measured with an instrumented treadmill, which were observed in all lower limb amputees involved in this study, were similar to the ones commonly reported in numerous studies on overground walking. Thus, treadmill gait training and control of the progress of rehabilitation with amputees is recommended.