Ankle kinematics during walking in patients with ankle arthrodesis

Background: Osteoarthritis, which causes pain, deformities and instability of the rearfoot, is the most common indication for ankle arthrodesis. The aim of this study was to present the influence of the ankle arthrodesis on the performance of this joint in the three planes during walking at natural velocity.Materials and methods: Fourteen patients, age from 34 to 66 years (mean: 54 years), with ankle arthrodesis participated in the testing procedures. Angular changes of the ankle in the three planes of movement during particular gait phases and spatiotemporal gait parameters were evaluated by a three–dimensional motion analysis system, Vicon®. The study was performed at the Biokinetics Laboratory of the Academy of Physical Education in Kraków. The results of locomotion analysis were compared to a control group, consisting of thirty healthy persons aged 40–65 years.Results: In the saggital plane feet joints worked symmetrically during all gait phases, but there were angular changes of plantar and dorsal flexion, which were different from biomechanical norm. In frontal plane, feet were in abduction during almost all gait phases. In the transversal plane, feet were in internal rotation. Significant differences in spatiotemporal gait factors were observed between the two groups.Conclusions: Ankle arthrodesis leads to significant changes in motion pattern of the ankle joints.