Parameters Step Time Research Articles

Assessment of Gait after Treatment of Tibial Nonunion with the Ilizarov Method.

Background: Tibial nonunion is a common bone union disorder leading to abnormal gait, and thus reducing quality of life in the social dimension. Research question: The aim of our work was to comprehensively assess gait parameters of patients who had undergone Ilizarov treatment for tibial nonunion compared to a control group of healthy individuals. Methods: This study evaluated patients treated for aseptic tibial nonunion with the Ilizarov method. 24 patients with a mean age of 55.0 years were included in the study. The control group consisted of 32 healthy volunteers with no significant medical history who were selected to match the gender and age of patients in the study group so that the groups were homogeneous. A Zebris Medical GmbH pedobarographic platform was used to assess the gait parameters. Results: For all gait parameters examined, force forefoot max, force backfoot max, step length, stance phase, swing phase and step time, we observed statistically significant differences between the group that had undergone treatment and the control group. In the group of patients, statistically significant differences between the operated lower limb and the non-operated limb were only observed for the force forefoot max and step time parameters (p = 0.029 and p = 0.045, respectively). Patients presented a longer loading of the operated limb (0.720 s) than the non-operated limb (0.635 s). For the stride time, step cadence and gait velocity parameters, healthy subjects achieved much better results during locomotion, and these differences were statistically significant at p < 0.001. Significance: Treatment of tibial nonunion with the Ilizarov method did not restore normal gait parameters in our group of patients. In fact, the gait parameters of patients were significantly worse than the healthy individuals in the control group. Furthermore, gait parameters following treatment were not symmetrical, and the dynamics of the musculoskeletal system remained impaired.

Computed dynography, a method for evaluation of gait pattern in treated cases of congenital talipes equino varus

&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background:&lt;/strong&gt; Club foot is characterized by inversion, adduction and equinus. Currently, evaluation of children treated for congenital talipes equino varus (CTEV) includes clinical and radiological examination as well as assessment of function. However, none of the methods is ideal. There should&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;be objective methods for better evaluation of function in treated CTEV. Gait analysis is the emerging method in objectively assessing the functional outcome. The aim of the study was to compare the selected measures from vertical ground reaction force variables and gait parameters of treated CTEV children with plantigrade feet, to healthy age and gender matched control group.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods:&lt;/strong&gt; We took 31 children with treated CTEV with mean age 8.21 years&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;and compared with 31 age and gender matched controls. The patients were initially treated under a standard protocol. Gait cycle properties, step time parameters and vertical ground reaction force variables were recorded and comparison of unilateral and bilateral cases of treated CTEV was done with that of controls.&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results:&lt;/strong&gt; Data showed that despite good clinical results and overall function, residual intoeing, lateral foot walking, mild foot drop, weak plantar flexor power, possible residual inversion deformity of the foot, increased frequency and decreased duration of cycle and asymmetry in gait were the main characteristics of gait of children with treated CTEV. In unilateral cases single and double support times were decreased and in bilateral CTEV double support times are increased.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/strong&gt; The study confirms that in clubfoot patients who underwent full treatment, gait parameters do not reach normal levels. Gait analysis can be used to quantify gait pattern characteristics and is helpful in evaluation and further development of treatment of patients.&lt;/p&gt;

Relations between age, step-time parameters and margin of stability during gait in typically developing children

Immature balance control has been suggested to be an important rate limiter for maturation of gait. The spatial margin of stability (MoS) is a measure derived from biomechanics characterizing dynamic balance control. Because of its sound biomechanical basis, it might provide insights into the balance control strategies used by children during the developmental course of gait. We hypothesize there will be an age-dependent decrease in MoS in children with typical development. To understand the mechanics behind this, relations between MoS and step-time parameters of gait (STP) are investigated.

A cross-sectional study about the relationship between morphology and step-time parameters in children between 15 and 36 months

Morphology and step-time parameters were recorded in 100 children between 15 and 36 months to investigate the relation between morphology and the walking pattern. A footfall method was used to register step-time parameters. Next, the differences in step-time parameters between four morphological classes were assigned with a multiple analysis of variance. We also performed stepwise linear regressions with a correction for walking experience, to examine the relation between detailed morphological measurements and step-time parameters. The results of these regressions show a significant relation between pelvis span/ankle spread ratio and the relative radii of gyration in the frontal plane of head and pelvis. It is hypothesized that the morphology of the head and pelvis plays a role in the coordination of the walking pattern.

Visual deprivation leads to gait adaptations that are age- and context-specific: I. Step-time parameters

In children, visual information is crucial for static postural control, although age-related differences exist in the impact of visual perturbation on postural sway. Since static postural control and locomotion are closely related, we expect age-related differences in the impact of visual deprivation on dynamic stability and gait. It is hypothesised that this is related to the important role of vision in postural control. Postural stability and gait was tested in 20 adults and 40 children (3–11 years old) under two different visual conditions: eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC).Significant differences were found between EO and EC for postural sway, dimensionless walking speed, dimensionless stride length and duration of double support. Thus, we can state that visual deprivation affects locomotion both in adults and children. Concerning walking speed a significant interaction effect was observed with age. The difference in walking speed between EO and EC is larger in children than in adults.Furthermore, we found significant correlations between postural sway and walking speed, step frequency and stride length. These observations support the hypothesis that gait adaptations in situations of visual deprivation are related to balance problems.

3D joint dynamics of walking in toddlers

This study aims at giving an insight into the causative forces of walking in toddlers. Therefore, joint angle, moment and power profiles of 10 toddlers with less than 6 months of walking experience are compared to the stereotype adult patterns. In general, joint moments are small, which can be explained both by the small size of toddlers and differences in walking strategy. Also mass specific powers are reduced due to the low average walking speed. Balance problems in toddlers lead to a dominance of hip and knee extending moments throughout stance. The joint moment profiles are characterized by a reduced complexity, which might suggest an immature control of movement. Another feature of toddler gait is that virtually no power is generated at the ankle joint prior to foot-off (no active push-off). We also examined the effect of walking experience on the toddler gait pattern. In general, an evolution towards a more mature gait becomes evident after 4 months of independent walking. Changes are observed in step-time parameters, ankle dorsiflexing moment and power absorption at the hip joint.