PowerPoint Presentation
Gait Analysis: Its Use as a Treatment and Rehabilitative
ToolGwenllian Tawy, Philip Riches, Philip RoweUniversity of
Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
Method of analysing movementJoint kinematics and kinetics2D or
3DIdentify pathological movement patternsGuide rehabilitation and
treatment programmes1,2
WHAT IS GAIT ANALYSIS?
Clinical useRarely used in clinical
environments3,4Problems:Large footprintTime consumingMarker
placement protocolsComplicated softwareComplicated dataLimited
training available to cliniciansExpensive
Consequences:Limited accessibilityLimited evidence of
effectiveness
WHY SHOULD WE USE IT?Gold standard method4Non-invasiveMultiple
measurements can be recorded simultaneouslyInformation on
functional abilitiesGuide rehabilitative and treatment plansImprove
functional outcome following a treatmentFeedback to patients on
progressEvidence of its benefits
Aim: Develop a clinic-appropriate motion capture system to
assess lower limb function.
DEVELOPMENT
ASSESSING RANGE OF MOTIONImportant outcome of interest5Commonly
used in orthopaedicsTraditionally measured with a goniometer
5Method is familiar to clinicians
ASSESSING STRENGTHInformative outcome measure 6Not always
carried out in a clinical environment 6Chair dynamometers/myometers
occasionally used 6Method familiar to clinicians
ASSESSING GAIT PATTERN AND STABILITYWalking kinematicsBalance
(Motor control)Identify pathalogical gaitGauge level of
mobility
EASE OF USEQuick set-up timePatient friendly assessmentsComputer
control with footswitchNo need to label markers and process
dataResults in real-timeResults in simple formatsTotal assessment
time is
