Tag: Wiesław Chwała

Postoperative three-dimensional gait analysis in a child with cerebral palsy – ankle and knee joint kinematics

Wiesław Chwała, Dorota Pamuła

Wiesław Chwała, Dorota Pamuła – Postoperative three-dimensional gait analysis in a child with cerebral palsy – ankle and knee joint kinematics. Fizjoterapia Polska 2006; 6(4); 322-327

Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess ankle joint kinematics in a child with hemiplegic cerebral palsy after multiple soft tissue surgery. Gait analysis was performed using a video-based 3-dimensional gait analysis system (VICON). The gait of the child differed significantly at ankle and knee joints from that seen in a normal population. The stance phase was prolonged in both lower extremities. At the ankle significant differences were found in preswing, initial contact, loading response and terminal swing. Gait analysis demonstrated increased dorsiflexion, especially at preswing, most likely due to the prior surgery. The stance length was prolonged (by over 10%). At the knee significant differences were found in preswing, initial contact, loading response and terminal swing. The hemiparetic leg commonly presents as a functional shortening of two muscles: the rectus femoris and the tibialis anterior during the GC and little concentric action of the gastrocnemius muscle in preswing. The observed changes in muscle length confirm inadequate extension of the knee and increased dorsiflexion during stance.

Key words:
three-dimensional gait analysis, cerebral palsy, ankle and knee joints

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A biomechanical analysis of gait disturbances in a patient following alloplasty of the hip joint

Wiesław Chwała, Witold Serafin, Anna Marchewka

Wiesław Chwała, Witold Serafin, Anna Marchewka – A biomechanical analysis of gait disturbances in a patient following alloplasty of the hip joint. Fizjoterapia Polska 2007; 7(2), 185-197

Abstract

Background. The physical examination and imaging studies are the diagnostic tools of today’s therapists and physicians. The drawbacks of these methods include a lack of objectivity as the assessment depends on the examiner’s clinical experience and the limited possibilities of the physical examination. As attention is quite often focused on a specific clinical area, biomechanical relations with other structures in the locomotor system are neglected. Three-dimensional analysis of movement is now available to clinicians as a new method of analysis of patient locomotion that can ensure a holistic and precise whole-body diagnosis of biomechanical disturbances. Material and methods. A three-dimensional gait analysis was carried out at the Laboratory of Biokinetics of the University of Physical Education in Cracow, Poland. A 56 year-old woman with right hip coxarthrosis underwent an examination of locomotion before an elective THR at the Department of Neuroorthopedics of the Rydygier Hospital in Cracow, and four months after the sur-gical procedure, following a period of total unloading of the operated right hip, around the time she commenced unsupported ambulation without assistive forearm crutches. Results and Conclusions. Based on the three-dimensional analysis of motion, a number of gait disturbances were detected which had originated from the degenerative changes within the hip joint and were not noticed during the physical examination. A comparison of the pre- and post-operative data showed that the pathologic gait patterns were successfully altered thanks to THR. Specifically, the range of motion within the hip joint was closer to relevant biomechanical reference values. The results of the postoperative examination suggest the presence of persistent disturbances of muscle function that still necessitate compensatory work of the contralateral limb.

Key words:

three-dimensional gait analysis, coxarthrosis, THR

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Variation in bioelectric activity of trunk extensors during loading with symmetric gravity torques in children with idiopathic scoliosis

Wiesław Chwała, Marianna Białek, Maciej Płaszewski

Wiesław Chwała, Marianna Białek, Maciej Płaszewski – Variation in bioelectric activity of trunk extensors during loading with symmetric gravity torques in children with idiopathic scoliosis. Fizjoterapia Polska 2008; 8(4); 393-400

Abstract
Background. Conflicting evidence is available on trunk erectors’ bioelectrical activity patterns during loading with symmetrical gravity torques in subjects with idiopathic scoliosis. This represents a significant hindrance to utilizing such information in scoliosis therapy. To identify the pattern of bioelectrical activity of trunk extensors during static contractions against symmetrical loading with body mass in subjects with idiopathic single- and double-curve scolioses of different Cobb angles. Material and methods. Biopotential activity was measured in 192 subjects aged 10-16 years with Cobb angles of 12-62°, of whom 59 had double-curve and 133 had single-curve thoracic scoliosis. Results. Biopotentials from dominant and non-dominant sides differed significantly in both tasks in patients with single-curve scoliosis (p<0.001). Muscle contraction patterns in double-curve scoliosis at the level of the primary curvature differed significantly in both tasks (p<0.001). Differences in contraction patterns at the level of the secondary curve were not significant (p<0.05). Conclusions. Significant differences were found in activity patterns of the muscles investigated between patients with singleand double-curve scolioses. The pattern of asymmetry is not directly connected with either severity or location of the curve (p<0.05, non-significant).
Key words:
electromyography, scoliosis, trunk extensors
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