Gait Analysis of Patients with Cerebrovascular Disease

Abstract

In order to describe characteristics common to hemiplegic gait, the present study examined the gait of a hemiplegic patient (Br. stage of lower limb: 4, 18 weeks from the onset) by a 3-dimensional motion analysis system, and compared the results with those of normal gait. Measured items were changes in center of gravity, ground reaction force of the both affected and unaffected sides, joint angle, joint moment, and joint power. In normal gait, a center of gravity was low during the double support, and became higher during the single-limb support. In hemiplegic gait, this motion was not seen at the heel contact of the affected side. This is considered to result from abnormal muscle activities of foot dorsiflexion and hip extension at the heel contact. With these results, the importance of body weight locomotion from the affected side to the unaffected side was discussed. © 2002, The Society of Physical Therapy Science. All rights reserved.