ARTICLE –
abstractComputerized
gait evaluation in patients with surgically repaired Achilles tendon
ruptures Oana Suciu1, Niță Andreea1, Alina Totorean1,2, Roxana Onofrei1 1Rehabilitation Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Victor Babeş, Timisoara, Romania 2Second Orthopedics and Traumatology Clinic, Clinical County Emergency Hospital, Timisoara, Romania
Abstract
The aim of
this study was to evaluate the gait of 15 patients with surgically
repaired acute Achilles tendon ruptures, before and after the
rehabilitation treatment and to demonstrate the impact of this
evaluation in establishing functional treatment. Material and
Method. We prospectively evaluated 15 cases of surgically repaired
Achilles tendon ruptures. The assessment was made after cast removal
and then after 1, 3 and 6 months of rehabilitation treatment. In order
to evaluate gait we used a Zebris CMS-HS system, ultrasound-based
system and a Zebris FDM system, a plantar pressure device. We also used
the heel-rise test and measured calf circumference. Results. The
results of the first assessment were the base in establishing the
following rehabilitation treatment. After the first month of
rehabilitation treatment there were some improvements in ankle
mobility, calf circumference and gait parameters. After 6 months of
rehabilitation treatment we noted a significant decrease of the step
time and enhancement of the walking speed and cadence. The ankle
mobility enhanced, especially plantar flexion during the supporting
phase. There was a better load of the lateral border, metatarsal heads
and hallux. The heel-rise test was significantly improved. Ankle
stability increased after the rehabilitation treatment, in most
patients. Conclusions. Zebris CMS-HS system allows quick and simple
analysis of the most important gait parameters being a noninvasive
tool. The rehabilitation treatment was important because it increased
ankle stability increasing patients’ confidence in returning to
sports.
Key
words:tendon rupture, surgical treatment, rehabilitation, plantar pressure platform
Full
article:
Computerized gait evaluation in patients with surgically repaired Achilles tendon ruptures
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