[Three dimensional gait analysis and controlling spastic foot on stroke patients]

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Neurology
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Gait analysis is crucial for assessing motor function after neurological events.
• Quantifying the efficacy of interventions like orthotics and neurosurgery is essential for stroke rehabilitation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the utility of three-dimensional gait analysis in objectively measuring the effects of ankle-foot orthosis and selective tibial neurotomy.
• To assess functional gait improvements in stroke patients without relying on subjective visual analysis.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a 3D motion system (Vicon-Oxford Metrics) to record gait kinematics in stroke patients.
• Compared gait parameters barefoot versus with ankle-foot orthosis and before versus after selective tibial neurotomy.
• Measured kinematic data in the sagittal plane and electromyography (EMG) of affected limb muscles.

Main Results:

• Ankle-foot orthosis significantly reduced walking discomfort (EVA scale) and increased gait speed, correcting equinus and recurvatum deformities.
• Selective tibial neurotomy decreased calf spasticity, reduced walking discomfort, and improved gait speed.
• Neurotomy also facilitated ankle dorsiflexion during stance and corrected knee recurvatum in several patients.

Conclusions:

• Three-dimensional gait analysis provides objective data on functional gait disability in stroke patients.
• This analysis precisely quantifies the benefits of orthosis and neurotomy across different gait phases.
• It highlights the impact of these interventions on joint kinematics and overall gait quality.