Relationship Between Transverse-plane Kinematic Deviations of Lower Limbs and Gait Performance in Children with Unilateral Cerebral Palsy: A Descriptive Analysis.
BACKGROUND
Transverse-plane kinematic deviations of lower limbs are common in children with unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP), often with detrimental consequences for gait.


RESEARCH QUESTION
To identify the most important factor among rotational anomalies of lower limbs for gait in children with UCP.


METHODS
In a descriptive observational study, 42 children with UCP (age; 5-8 years) who had the ability of independent walking were included. Comprehensive gait analysis was performed and included assessment of the transverse-plane kinematic deviations of the lower limbs [pelvis, hip, and ankle rotation angles, and foot progression (FP) angle], and spatial-temporal gait features [velocity, step length (SL), single-limb support time (SLSt), temporal gait-symmetry index (T-GSI), and spatial gait-symmetry index (S-GSI)].


RESULTS AND SIGNIFICANCE
The regression analysis indicated that hip rotation was the key determinant of gait velocity (R2 = 0.75, P < .001) and S-GSI (R2 = 0.24, P = .001). The FP angle was the most important factor for T-GSI (R2 = 0.22, P = .002). The ankle rotation explained in part the variance in T-GSI (R2 = 0.10, P = .001).


CONCLUSION
Gait velocity and spatial gait-symmetry are primarily affected by hip rotation anomalies. The temporal gait-symmetry is generally associated with the FP angle deviation and partly with ankle rotation deviation.
['Elnaggar|Ragab K|RK|']
D000842:Ankle D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena D002547:Cerebral Palsy D002648:Child D002675:Child, Preschool D005260:Female D005528:Foot D005684:Gait D000077107:Gait Analysis D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic D006801:Humans D035002:Lower Extremity D008297:Male D010388:Pelvis D011446:Prospective Studies D012399:Rotation
Cerebral palsy gait-symmetry rotational deviations gait anomalies walking performance