Qualitative and quantitative gait phase analysis by continuous monitoring of inter-ankle distance

A new device is presented that is able to provide a temporal recording of gait as well as a continuous qualitative monitoring of gait events. It can be used with motor-point electromyography to perform walking electromyography, with an electrogoniometer to record joint position, or with other measuring devices to record events relative to phase of gait. The major advantages of this system as compared with available systems are ease of use, decreased patient encumbrance, potential for portability, greatly reduced expense, and the potential for digitizing the signal for computer compatibility. Preliminary data are comparable to available accepted norms.