Functionally oriented and clinically feasible quantitative gait analysis method

A protocol for clinical gait analysis is described, and data from 30 normal adult female subjects are presented. Extensive application to pathologic subjects has proven to be feasible and sufficiently accurate. The method is based on a particular location and attachment of retro-reflective markers on the body and on a particular arrangement of four TV cameras. A motion analyser measures the 3D coordinates of each marker. A modelling approach, based on individual anthropometric measurements, and a functional approach, based on kinematical considerations, are used to estimate the location of hip, knee, and ankle joint centers and the orientation of the flexion-extension axis of the knee. 3D relative and absolute movements of pelvis and lower limbs are obtained and shown to be consistent with functional anatomy.