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Kinematic gait analysis of a young man after amputation of the toes

100%

Forczek W., Ruchlewicz T., Gawęda A.

Biomedical Human Kinetics

2014

vol. 6

issue 1

Study aim: the foot is recognised as a “functional unit” with two important aims: to support body weight and to serve as a lever to propel the body forward. When it is impaired, the locomotor pattern has to adapt to compensate for the dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to investigate gait kinematics of a man after bilateral partial amputation of the toes. Material and methods: the subject of the study was a young man aged 30 years (body height and mass: 186 cm, 82 kg) who suffered a frostbite injury in the feet while climbing in the severe mountain conditions. After a few months of treatment, the necessary amputation occurred. Three-dimensional lower limb kinematics was collected from motion capture system (Vicon 250) and Golem marker set-up using 5 video-based cameras with infrared strobes. The subject performed over-ground walking at self-selected speed, first barefoot, then wearing athletic shoes. Results: the patient’s results are the mean values of sixteen full gait cycles. The spatiotemporal parameters were lower during gait without shoes. In terms of the angular changes of the lower limb joints in sagittal plane, the analysis revealed similar functional patterns and typical trends in both recorded conditions. The differences, however, occurred in their amplitude. A larger range of motion was generally noted in shod conditions. The higher the joint was, the smaller the differences were. Conclusion: changes in gait due to the forefoot dysfunction may be stabilizing adaptations related to fear of falling. Footwear provided more stable conditions.

Assessment of the strength and endurance of the trunk muscle in patients with low back pain

88%

Głodzik J., Chwała W., Marchewka A., Ruchlewicz T., Skura A.

Medical Rehabilitation

2008

vol. 12(3)

15-23

Introduction: In this study, strength and endurance of the trunk muscles were assessed in patients with spondyloarthrosis of the lower spine. Material and methods: 52 women and 49 men with low back pain syndrome (LBPS) were enrolled into the study. The muscle strength of the flexors and extensors of the trunk was determined by calculation of the maximum (MT) and relative torque (RT) during an isometric contraction. Evaluation of endurance of the extensors used calculation of the regression coefficient of the strength reduction during the testing of maximum strength capability. The obtained results were compared to results obtained in healthy persons. Moreover, the relation of those parameters to age, body-mass index – BMI (describing somatic habitus) and the Oswestry Disability Index – ODI (describing pain intensity during activities of daily living) was assessed. Separate analyses were conducted for the groups of males and females.Results: Based on the conducted study and the performed analyses, it can be stated that in patients with chronic low back pain syndrome there is a marked reduction in trunk muscle strength as compared to healthy persons. For females, the reduction ranged from 45% (flexors) to 48% (extensors) for absolute maximum torque values, while for relative values (RT) – from 51% (flexors) to 56% (extensors). In men, the strength reduction of abdominal and back muscles was smaller and was approximately 40% (for MT and RT). Because of such differences in the strength of the back muscles and methodological reasons, endurance variables were not compared. Reduction in trunk muscle strength is primarily due to the pain syndrome and does not depend on patients’ age or habitus. Lower muscle strength can affect the intensity of spinal pain during every-day activities.Conclusions: Precise determination of strength and endurance of the trunk muscles and the appropriate selection of methods of their reinforcement should constitute one of the principal aims of rehabilitation treatment in patients with low back pain.

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1 Biomedical Human Kinetics

1 Medical Rehabilitation

1 2014

1 2008

2 Ruchlewicz T.

1 Chwała W.

1 Forczek W.

1 Gawęda A.

1 Głodzik J.

1 Marchewka A.

1 Skura A.

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Kinematic gait analysis of a young man after amputation of the toes

Assessment of the strength and endurance of the trunk muscle in patients with low back pain