Methods to quantify gait rehabilitation following lower limb fractures

Abstract

Lower limb fragility fractures require long-term rehabilitation and are also very expensive to treat. Clinically, early weight bearing and walking stability were reported as key measures of fracture restoration. This study introduces methods to numerically quantify these performance indices for a range of ankle and knee joint fractures. As a follow-up of initial treatment, experimental data was collected using force plates from 367 subjects divided into seven groups: ankle fracture (AF), lower leg ankle fracture (AL), calcaneus foot fracture (CF), knee tibia fracture (KF), knee patella fracture (KP), kneecap rupture (KR), and normal limb (NL). For each joint, data was analysed to evaluate intralimb and interlimb weight-bearing and walking stability for all fracture conditions. These thresholds were statistically compared with normal subjects. Some advantages of evaluating fracture restoration indices over the others include:

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  to quantify fracture restoration (weight-bearing, walking stability, and gait symmetry) using minimum setup and signal requirements.

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  to provide comprehensive tools to assess and overcome fracture-associated complications through a detailed preview of fractured limb functionality during subphases of a gait cycle.

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  in clinical research, such assessments are important as a reference to evaluate existing or new rehabilitative interventions.