Treadmill gait analysis of rehabilitated and independent lower-limb amputees

• Authors: Soraia Cristina Tonon Da Luz , Aluisio Otavio Vargas Ávila , Mario César De Andrade , Beatriz Conceição Silva Alves Rodrigues
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

Purpose. A description of gait analysis during overground locmotion has been the subject of various studies, in relation to describing both the kinetic and spatial-temporal characteristics of walking. Measuring the gait of amputees using treadmills is a useful test to quantify locomotive ability, and a tool that helps to control gait parameters during rehabilitation. The aim of this study is to describe the kinetic and spatial-temporal characteristics of gait of rehabilitated amputees, measured with an instrumented treadmill. Methods. Twenty-four participants aged between 20 and 40 years were chosen, who had all suffered unilateral traumatic amputation either above or below the knee, and were classified as well-rehabilitated. Following a paperbased assessment form, the participants were subjected to gait analysis on an instrumented treadmill fitted with two force platforms. Results. The first peak vertical force of intact and amputated limbs presented higher values and was significantly (p 0.05) larger than the second peak vertical force for the amputated limb, indicating less propulsion during walking. A significant difference was observed in the load rate in intact and amputated limbs, indicating more overload in the intact limb. The spatial-temporal variables, cadence, step and stride length were significantly greater (p 0.05) in the below-knee than in the above-knee amputees. Conclusions. The kinetic and spatial-temporal characteristics of gait, measured with an instrumented treadmill, which were observed in all lower limb amputees involved in this study, were similar to the ones commonly reported in numerous studies on overground walking. Thus, treadmill gait training and control of the progress of rehabilitation with amputees is recommended.

Keywords

EN

amputation; gait; treadmill

• Publisher: De Gruyter Open
• Journal: Human Movement
• Year: 2012
• Volume: 13
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 204-210

Dates

published

1 - 10 - 2012

received

accepted

online

01 - 11 - 2012

Contributors

author

Soraia Cristina Tonon Da Luz

• Biomechanics Laboratory Science Center for Health and Sport State University of Santa Catarina Paschoal Simone, 358 Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil CEP: 88080-350

author

Aluisio Otavio Vargas Ávila

• State University of Santa Catarina, Santa Catarina, Brazil

author

Mario César De Andrade

• State University of Santa Catarina, Santa Catarina, Brazil

author

Beatriz Conceição Silva Alves Rodrigues

• sState University of Santa Catarina, Santa Catarina, Brazil

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Identifiers

DOI

10.2478/v10038-012-0023-4