Joint Function

&
GAIT Analysis
 Joints
¾ A joint occurs when bone-end meets
bone-end
¾ Synovial joint
z Bone ends covered with cartilage
z Relative large range of motion
z Surrounded by a capsule filled with synovial
fluid
Knee Joint Motion
Hip Joint Motion
 Joint Function
The ability of a joint to maintain
an appropriate functional position
throughout an intended range of motion

A stable joint is able to carry required loads

throughout normal ranges of motion
Types of movements
Types of movements (cont’d)
 Joint Reaction Forces
These forces produced via:

Compression of two articular surfaces

Compressive Forces
Joint Contact Forces
 GAIT
¾ Utilizes minimal energy to move COM
¾ Walking is a highly-coordinated process
involving
z CNS
• Brain
• Spinal cord
• Peripheral nerves
z MSS
• Muscles
• Bones & Joints
 Single GAIT cycle
The major events:
¾ Stance Phase
z Heel Strike
z Foot Flat
z Toe Off
¾ Swing Phase
z Acceleration
z Deceleration
Stance Phase
Swing phase
Single GAIT cycle
Support during GAIT cycle
Ground reaction force
 Biomechanics of GAIT Analysis
¾ Important variables
z Time
z Mass
z Force
z Centre of gravity
z Moments
z Motion
• Linear
• Angular
 Determinants of GAIT
¾ Pelvic rotation
¾ Pelvic obliquity
¾ Knee flexion in stance phase
¾ Ankle mechanism
¾ Foot mechanism
¾ Lateral displacement of body
 GAIT Analysis
¾ Systemic study of human walking
• Using experienced observers
• Augmented by instrumentation
• Measuring body movements
• Body mechanics
• Activity of the muscles
¾ Purpose
¾ Aid in treatment
¾ Helps to improve understanding
 Methods of GAIT Analysis
Few of the methods used :
¾ Visual gait analysis
¾ Timing the gait cycle
¾ Direct motion measurement systems
¾ Electrogoniometers
¾ Electromyography
¾ Combined Kinetic / Kinematic systems
 Abnormal GAIT Patterns
¾ Anterior trunk bending
¾ Posterior trunk bending
¾ Lateral trunk bending
¾ Increased lumbar lordosis
¾ Circumduction
¾ Steppage
The End
Pelvic rotation
Pelvic obliquity
 Knee flexion in stance phase,
Ankle mechanism, Foot mechanism
Lateral displacement of body
Anterior trunk bending
Posterior trunk bending
Increased lumbar lordosis
Circumduction
Steppage
 Visual gait analysis
¾ Depends on the skill of observer
¾ Subject should be observed from different
sides to observe gait abnormalities
¾ Minimum length to be walked = ~10-12 m
¾ Compare range of motion at joints during
walking with those observed on
examination plinth
¾ Cameras may be used
 Timing the gait cycle
¾ Two types
z Footswitches
• One switch beneath heel, other beneath forefoot
• Connected to computer with trailing wire/ transmitter
• Measure timing of stance phase
z Instrumented walkways
• Covered with electrically conductive substance
• Electrical contacts on subject’s shoes
• Interrupt beams of 2 photoelectric cells to find speed
• Also measures position of foot contact
 Direct motion measurement
systems
¾ Found generally in research labs
¾ Light string attached to back of belt
¾ While walking string is pulled through an
instrument
z Uses tacho generator or optical encoder
z Measures its speed
¾ Two strings used
z Measure lateral displacement
 Electrogoniometers
¾ Makes continuous measurements of the
angle of a joint
¾ Potentiometer devices
z Variable resistor
z Turning of central spindle
• Change in electrical resistance
z Measures joint angle
• Body is connected to one limb
• Spindle is connected to the connecting limb
Triaxial goniometers on Hip, knee
and ankle
 Electromyography
¾ Measures electrical activity of contracting
muscle
¾ Main methods
z Surface electrodes
z Fine-wire electrodes
z Needle electrodes
¾ Helps in timing muscle activation
¾ But cannot measure strength of
contraction
Combined Kinetic / Kinematic systems
Combined Kinetic / Kinematic systems
¾ Measurements in 2D or 3D
¾ Measures
z Displacements
z Velocities
z Accelerations
z Position and orientation of body segments
z Angles of joints
¾ Measure positions of markers at 50 Hz (20ms intervals)
¾ Uses many of the previous mentioned measurement
systems
z Electrogoniometers
z Visual methods like videos
z Force platforms , etc