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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