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Updated: May 14, 2026
Methods for In Vivo Biomechanical Testing on Brachial Plexus in Neonatal Piglets
Published on: December 19, 2019
Selected gait parameters in children with obstetric brachial plexus injury (OBPI) - a pilot study
Maria R Grodner1, Krzysztof Dudziński, Zbigniew Zdrajkowski
1Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Poland. maria.grodner@awf.edu.pl
Insights
Obstetric brachial plexus injury (OBPI) can affect a child's gait. While ground reaction forces showed no significant differences, subtle gait phase variations were observed in children with OBPI.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Orthopedics
- Neuromuscular Disorders
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Obstetric brachial plexus injury (OBPI) is a common birth complication causing upper limb weakness.
- This weakness impacts limb development, postural control, and gait parameters in affected children.
- Evaluating gait disturbances is crucial for understanding the functional consequences of OBPI.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess gait parameters in children with OBPI using ground reaction force (GRF) measurements.
- To identify potential gait deviations associated with the severity and type of brachial plexus injury.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of GRF data from 30 children diagnosed with OBPI.
- Utilized the CDG system to measure vertical GRF components in lower limbs.
- Compared GRF data between the injured and unaffected sides, considering complete and incomplete OBPI.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant differences in GRF were found between the affected and unaffected sides.
- Individual cases exhibited variations in the temporal aspects of GRF and gait phase durations.
- Visually observed gait abnormalities were not fully substantiated by GRF analysis.
Conclusions:
- GRF analysis did not statistically confirm visually apparent gait issues in the studied OBPI cohort.
- Further research with larger, comparative groups (including healthy children) is needed to establish normative GRF values for OBPI.
- Therapeutic interventions should adopt a holistic approach, addressing the entire musculoskeletal system, including the spine and pelvis, not just the affected upper limb.
Background:
Brachial plexus injury is one of the most common obstetric injuries (OBPI). It results in upper limb muscle weakness of various severity. This affects the growth and function of the limb and the child's postural development, which in turn disturbs some gait parameters in children with OBPI. The aim of the study was to evaluate gait parameters in children with OBPI with the help of a ground reaction force measuring device.
Material And Methods:
The study group consisted of 44 children with obstetric brachial plexus injury. Of this group, test results of 30 children from the Children's Hospital in Dziekanów Leśny and "STOCER" Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Centre for Children and Youth in Konstancin Jeziorna were analyzed. The CDG system was used to measure the vertical component of ground reaction forces in the lower limbs, comparing the side ipsilateral to the brachial plexus injury and the unaffected side in children with complete and incomplete brachial plexus damage.
Results:
Although no statistically significant differences were found between the two sides, some of the patients demonstrated differences in the time course of ground reaction forces and duration of gait phases.
Conclusions:
1. The visually noticeable incorrect gait pattern was not statistically confirmed in full in an analysis of ground reaction forces in the study group. 2. A study embracing a larger group of children with OBPI and comparing them to healthy children should provide data on whether these values of ground reaction forces are abnormal. 3. Due to the visually noticeable asymmetries in the entire musculoskeletal system, exercise should not only focus on the affected upper limb, but involve the entire body, especially the spine, pelvis and gait pattern.
