Joint velocity during gait in patients with stroke.

Abstract

Introduction. Joint velocity has been used to determine spastic gait dysfunction, but never been detected in patients with stroke. It relates dynamic muscle organization and force generation during performing the tasks. Objectives of the study were investigated joint velocity of affected and un-affected sides during gait. Methods. Thirty patients with stroke and normal adults were evaluated gait patterns at their preferred speed. Three dimensional gait motion analyzed velocities of hip flexion, knee flexion and extension, and ankle plantarflexion and dorsiflexion. Results. Affected side showed reduction of all joint angular velocities compared to normal adults and un-affected side. Compensatory mechanism was found in un-affected side by extremely increased velocities of hip and knee flexion. Conclusion. Clearer picture of gait pattern in patients with stroke can be determined by joint angular velocity. Not only affected, but also un-affected motion was changed from normal pattern. Further study should investigate and verify information associating cause of compensatory adaptation.