scholarly journals Short-term results of gait analysis with the Heidelberg foot measurement method and functional outcome after operative treatment of ankle fractures

2022 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica C. Böpple ◽  
Michael Tanner ◽  
Sarah Campos ◽  
Christian Fischer ◽  
Sebastian Müller ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Ankle fractures are common fractures in trauma surgery. Several studies have compared gait patterns between affected patients and control groups. However, no one used the Heidelberg Foot Measurement Method in combination with statistical parametric mapping of the entire gait cycle in this patient cohort. We sought to identify possible mobility deficits in the tibio-talar joint and medial arch in patients after ankle fractures as a sign of stiffness and pain that could result in a pathological gait pattern. We focused on the tibio-talar flexion as it is the main movement in the tibio-talar joint. Moreover, we examined the healing progress over time. Methods Fourteen patients with isolated ankle fractures were included prospectively. A gait analysis using the Heidelberg Foot Measurement Method was performed 9 and 26 weeks after surgery to analyse the tibio-talar dorsal flexion, the foot tibia dorsal flexion, the subtalar inversion and the medial arch as well as the cadence, the walking speed and the ground reaction force. The American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society ankle hindfoot score was used to obtain clinical data. Results were compared to those from 20 healthy participants. Furthermore, correlations between the American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society hindfoot score and the results of the gait analysis were evaluated. Results Statistical parametric mapping showed significant differences for the Foot Tibia Dorsal Flexion for patients after 9 weeks (53–75%: p = 0.001) and patients after 26 weeks (58–70%: p = 0.011) compared to healthy participants, respectively. Furthermore, significant differences regarding the tibio-talar dorsal flexion for patients 9 weeks after surgery (15–40%: p < 0.001; 56,5–70%: p = 0.007; 82–88%: p = 0.033; 97–98,5%: p = 0.048) as well as patients after 26 weeks (62,5–65%: p = 0.049) compared to healthy participants, respectively. There were no significant differences looking at the medial arch and the subtalar inversion. Moreover, significant differences regarding the ground reaction force were found for patients after 9 weeks (0–17%: p < 0.001; 21–37%: p < 0.001; 41–54%: p < 0.001; 60–64%: p = 0.013) as well as patients after 26 weeks (0–1,5%: p = 0.046; 5–15%: p < 0.001; 27–33%: p = 0.001; 45–49%: p = 0.005; 57–59%: p = 0.049) compared to healthy participants, respectively. In total, the range of motion in the tibio-talar joint and the medial arch was reduced in affected patients compared to healthy participants. Patients showed significant increase of the range of motion between 9 and 26 weeks. Conclusions This study shows, that patients affected by ankle fractures show limited mobility in the tibio-talar joint and the medial arch when compared to healthy participants. Even though the limitation of motion remains at least over a period of 26 weeks, a significant increase can be recognized over time. Furthermore, if we look at the absolute values, the patients’ values tend to get closer to those of the control group. Trial registration This study is registered at the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00023379).

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sung Eun Kim ◽  
Jangyun Lee ◽  
Sae Yong Lee ◽  
Hae-Dong Lee ◽  
Jae Kun Shim ◽  
...  

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to investigate how the ball position along the mediolateral (M-L) direction of a golfer causes a chain effect in the ground reaction force, body segment and joint angles, and whole-body centre of mass during the golf swing. Twenty professional golfers were asked to complete five straight shots for each 5 different ball positions along M-L: 4.27 cm (ball diameter), 2.14 cm (ball radius), 0 cm (reference position at preferred ball position), – 2.14 cm, and – 4.27 cm, while their ground reaction force and body segment motions were captured. The dependant variables were calculated at 14 swing events from address to impact, and the differences between the ball positions were evaluated using Statistical Parametric Mapping. The left-sided ball positions at address showed a greater weight distribution on the left foot with a more open shoulder angle compared to the reference ball position, whereas the trend was reversed for the right-sided ball positions. These trends disappeared during the backswing and reappeared during the downswing. The whole-body centre of mass was also located towards the target for the left-sided ball positions throughout the golf swing compared to the reference ball position, whereas the trend was reversed for the right-sided ball positions. We have concluded that initial ball position at address can cause a series of chain effects throughout the golf swing.


Author(s):  
Ziemowit Bańkosz ◽  
Sławomir Winiarski

Background: Statistical parametric mapping (SPM) is an innovative method based on the analysis of time series (data series) and is equivalent to statistical methods for numerical (discrete) data series. This study aimed to analyze the patterns of movement in the topspin backhand stroke in table tennis and to use SPM to compare these patterns between advanced female and male players. Methods: The research involved seven advanced male and six advanced female players. The kinematic parameters were measured using an inertial motion analysis system. The SPM was computed using the SPM1D Python package. Results: Our study made it possible to reproduce the pattern of movement in the joints during topspin backhand strokes in the studied athletes. During multiple comparisons, the analysis of variance (ANOVA) SPM test revealed many areas in the studied parameter series with statistically significant differences (p ≤ 0.01). Conclusions: The study presents the movement patterns in the topspin backhand shot and describes the proximal-to-distal sequencing principle during this shot. The SPM study revealed differences between men and women in the contribution of thoracic rotation, external shoulder rotation, dorsal flexion, and supination in the wrist during the hitting phase. These differences may result from the anatomical gender differences or variations in other functionalities of individual body segments between the study groups. Another possible source for these discrepancies may reside in tactical requirements, especially the need for a more vigorous attack in men. The gender differences presented in this study can help in the individualization of the training process in table tennis.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliette Ropars ◽  
Laetitia Houx ◽  
Sylvain Brochard ◽  
François Rousseau ◽  
Carole Vuillerot ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), the most common neuromuscular disease in children, is a severe, progressive disease that affects skeletal muscle. Abnormal gait patterns in children with DMD result from compensatory adaptations of their locomotor system to maintain free ambulation in response to the slow, progressive muscle weakness, contractures and osteoarticular changes caused by the disease. Identification of gait abnormalities can be challenging because current understanding of how gait patterns changes progressively in children with DMD is limited. 3D gait analysis could thus increase understanding about the effects of the disease on gait, guide treatments and help to predict key milestones, such as ambulation loss. This latter event is important because it is an endpoint for clinical trials and studies of DMD disease progression. OBJECTIVE The primary aim of this study was to analyze the gait characteristics of children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) during their last 2 years of free ambulation. The secondary aim was to explore the capacity of gait variables to predict the time of loss of ambulation. METHODS The gait of eighteen children with DMD and fourteen age-matched control children was recorded using a 3D optoelectronic system. Statistical parametric mapping was used to compare kinematic and kinetic variables between groups. Multivariate regression was used to identify predictors of the time of ambulation loss among spatiotemporal, kinematic and kinetic variables. RESULTS Compared with the controls, anterior pelvic tilt was increased during the whole gait cycle, hip flexion was increased during the second part of stance phase and of the entire swing, knee flexion was increased during swing, dorsiflexion was reduced during stance, and plantar flexion occurred in swing in the DMD group. Maximal ground reaction force, ankle dorsiflexion moment at initial contact, knee power absorption and generation during loading response, and maximal power generation of the hip at the end of stance were all reduced. A combination of gait variables, mostly kinetic, predicted the duration before ambulation loss to be less than three months. CONCLUSIONS The gait of children with DMD who are close to losing ambulation is characterized by specific deviations. The time of ambulation loss was accurately predicted by 3D gait variables, particularly kinetic. Combined with data from the clinical examination, 3D gait analysis provides valuable information to guide physical therapy, including targeted muscle strengthening and stretching, to help patients maintain free ambulation as long as possible.


Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (11) ◽  
pp. 3667
Author(s):  
Sangheon Park ◽  
Sukhoon Yoon

Inertial measurement units (IMUs) are possible alternatives to motion-capture systems (Mocap) for gait analysis. However, IMU-based system performance must be validated before widespread clinical use. Therefore, this study evaluated the validity of IMUs using statistical parametric mapping (SPM) for gait analysis. Ten healthy males (age, 30.10 ± 3.28 years; height, 175.90 ± 5.17 cm; weight: 82.80 ± 17.15 kg) participated in this study; they were asked to walk normally on a treadmill. Data were collected during walking at the self-selected speeds (preferred speed, 1.34 ± 0.10 m/s) using both Mocap and an IMU. Calibration was performed directly before each gait measurement to minimize the IMU drift error over time. The lower-extremity joint angles of the hip, knee, and ankle were calculated and compared with IMUs and Mocap; the hip-joint angle did not differ significantly between IMUs and Mocap. There were significant differences in the discrete (max, min, and range of motion) and continuous variables (waveform: 0–100%) of the knee and ankle joints between IMUs and Mocap, particularly on the swing phase (p < 0.05). Our results suggest that IMU-based data can be used confidently during the stance phase but needs evaluation regarding the swing phase in gait analysis.


2010 ◽  
Vol 23 (01) ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
U. Rytz ◽  
R. Vannini ◽  
K. Voss ◽  
A. A. Andreoni

Summary Objectives: To evaluate and compare long-term functional outcome after partial carpal arthrodesis and pancarpal arthrodesis in dogs using kinetic gait analysis. Methods: Fourteen dogs with 19 partial carpal or pancarpal arthrodeses were retrospectively examined and underwent force-plate gait analysis. Mean times since surgery were 29.4 and 24.4 months for pancarpal and partial carpal arthrodesis respectively. Vertical and braking-propulsive ground reaction force profiles were compared between treatment groups, and to those of normal dogs (control group) using Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance. Results: With the exception of time to vertical peak that occurred earlier in dogs with pancarpal than in dogs with partial carpal arthrodesis (p <0.01), there was no difference between the two treatment groups. Several parameters differed significantly between operated and healthy dogs (p <0.01): vertical impulses were significantly lower in both treatment groups, braking forces and impulses were also reduced after both techniques. Propulsive forces and impulses were only reduced in dogs with pancarpal arthrodesis. When comparing gait parameters of sound limbs of unilateral operated dogs to those of control dogs, braking forces and impulses (p <0.01; p <0.05) were significantly higher in the sound legs of unilateral operated dogs. Clinical Significance: Long-term outcome after partial carpal and pancarpal arthrodesis is good and comparable to each other. Propulsive action may be altered more in dogs with pancarpal arthrodesis.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amr Ali ALHOSSARY ◽  
Todd Pataky ◽  
Wei Tech ANG ◽  
Karen Sui Geok CHUA ◽  
Cyril John Donnelly

Abstract Background: Clinical gait analysis is an important field of biomechanics that Is influenced by subjectivity, which can lead to type I and II errors. Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM) is a classical hypothesis testing method that can operate on all measured joint dynamics simultaneously, thereby overcoming errors associated with subjective reduction of these complex data and providing a quantitative and coherent assessment. Results: We present MovementRx, the first gait analysis modelling application that models joints in 3 degrees of freedom. It is a python-based versatile GUI-based movement analysis decision support system, that provides a holistic view of all lower limb joints fundamental to the kinematic/kinetic chain (i.e., related to functional gait). It utilizes the time varying statistical tool SPM1D combined with a visualizing software. The user can cascade the view from single 3D multivariate result down to specific single joint individual scalar component of movement in one dimension. It exports its API as a library for use by another python application or command line. We also presented a case study of a unilateral knee osteoarthritis (OA) patient with otherwise undetected contralateral OA predisposition. The intervention elevated the patient’s moments on the right (affected) limb, but it led to adverse compensation on the left (contralateral) limb, leaving the patient likely to develop OA in her left limb in the future, unless immediate preventive and / or corrective actions were taken. Conclusions: MovementRx is a clinical gait analysis tool for that provides objective representation of the magnitude of statistical effect of all relevant joints in a simple, coherent, objective, and visually intuitive manner. No other software correctly model joints in 3 degrees of freedom.


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