The relationship between gait parameters and pain in persons with transtibial amputation: a preliminary report

This is a preliminary study of the potential relationship between pain and gait parameters in 11 persons with transtibial amputation who underwent gait analysis under both baseline and discomfort walking conditions. Gait analysis included measurement with a VA-Rancho Stride Analyzer of the following gait parameters: velocity, cadence, stride length, gait cycle, and support time. These data were correlated with pain intensity data determined with a standard Visual Analog Scale. Wide ranges of discomfort were reported and corresponding alterations in gait parameters varied greatly in both magnitude and quality. There was no obvious pattern in acclimation to discomfort. A significant correlation was found between pain intensity and the magnitude of change in velocity (p < 0.05). In addition, all subjects reporting significant pain (> 33% of maximum) slowed down, while gait alterations of others varied widely in response to the experience of pain. Further studies with a larger and more homogeneous subject pool to examine these relationships fully are recommended to follow this preliminary report.