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Clinical-oriented Three-dimensional Gait Analysis Method for Evaluating Gait Disorder
Published on: March 4, 2018
Joint stiffness and gait pattern evaluation in children with Down syndrome
Manuela Galli1, Chiara Rigoldi, Reinald Brunner
1Bioeng. Dept., Politecnico di Milano, P.zza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy.
Gait & Posture
|May 6, 2008
Summary
Children with Down syndrome (DS) exhibit altered gait patterns, including increased hip flexion and limited ankle motion. Their joint stiffness compensates for hypotonia and ligament laxity, with higher hip stiffness but lower ankle stiffness.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanical analysis
- Pediatric orthopedics
- Developmental disorders
Background:
- Down syndrome (DS) is characterized by hypotonia, ligament laxity, and motor impairments.
- Understanding gait deviations in DS is crucial for therapeutic interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the typical gait pattern in children with Down syndrome.
- To quantify joint stiffness as a potential compensation for hypotonia and ligament laxity.
Main Methods:
- 3D gait analysis was performed on 98 children with DS and 30 healthy controls.
- Gait parameters including joint angles and stiffness were measured at self-selected speeds.
Main Results:
- Subjects with DS displayed increased hip flexion, knee flexion during stance, and limited knee range of motion.
- Ankle plantarflexion at initial contact and reduced ankle power during push-off were observed in DS.
- Increased hip joint stiffness and decreased ankle joint stiffness were noted in individuals with DS compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Gait in Down syndrome involves characteristic alterations in hip, knee, and ankle kinematics.
- Joint stiffness, particularly increased hip stiffness, may serve as a compensatory mechanism for hypotonia and ligament laxity in DS.
