Evaluation of Gait Pattern in Treated Cases of Congenital Talipes Equinovarus by Computed Dynography

Club foot is a bony deformity characterized by inversion, adduction and equinus. Currently evaluation of children treated for congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV) Includes clinical and radiological examination as well as assessment of function, level of pain and patient satisfaction. However none of the methods is ideal. There should be objective methods of assessment of function in treated CTEV. Gait analysis is the new emerging method in objectively assessing the functional outcome. The aim of the study was to compare the selected measures from vertical ground reaction force variables and gait parameters of treated CTEV children to a normal healthy age and gender matched control group. This study showed that gait pattern characteristics and may be helpful in evaluation and further development of treatment of patients with clubfoot. We compared 31 children with treated CTEV (9 girls and 22 boys) with mean age 8.21 yrs. with 31 age and gender matched controls. All the patients were initially treated under a standard protocol. Gait cycle properties, step time parameters and VGRF variables were recorded and comparison was done between unilateral and bilateral cases of treated CTEV with that of controls. Ultraflex (Galt analysis system) by Infotronics Medical Industrial Engineering was used for data collection. The data showed that despite good clinical results and overall function residual intoeing, mild foot drop, loss of plantar flexor power, increased frequency and decreased duration of cycle were the main characteristics of gait of children with treated CTEV. In unilateral cases single and double support times were decreased and in bilateral CTEV double support times are increased. Symmetry was found to be disturbed in unilateral CTEV patients. The current study confirms that in clubfoot patients who have undergone full treatment and not awaiting any further treatment, gait parameters do not reach normal levels. Thus gait analysis can be used to quantify gait pattern characteristics and may be helpful in evaluation and further development of treatment of patients with clubfoot. Gait analysis, Kinematics, vertical ground reaction forces.