Gait variability in people with multiple sclerosis.

Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) present with varying symptoms that can differ between and within individuals. As new interventions and drug treatments become available to MS patients, it is essential to understand the relationship between fatigue and the variability of functional mobility measures in order to define a meaningful change due to treatment within the MS population. The purpose of this study was to examine the within-day and between-day changes in gait variability for subjects with MS in fresh and fatigued conditions. Walking gait parameters were measured from 20 subjects diagnosed with MS and eight healthy control subjects. Standard deviations of hip, knee and ankle kinematic and kinetic variables were quantified as the measure of variability and analysed with a two-way (group by condition) ANOVA. Results indicated MS subjects had significantly greater hip (P <0.020), knee (P <0.011) and ankle (P <0.034) joint angle variability than control subjects, but variability was not different between conditions. Kinetic variability was not different between groups or conditions. MS subjects in this study walked more slowly than the healthy controls and they also reported more fatigue. Research examining treatment effects within the MS population should account for increased levels of kinematic gait variability.

Effects of lateral-wedged insoles on kinetics at the knee.

Lateral-wedged insoles have been shown to help clinically alleviate pain associated with medial compartment osteoarthritis. This study analyzed the effects of lateral-wedged insoles on the gait and medial knee compartment load of 17 healthy subjects. Three-dimensional gait analysis was performed for each subject with and without wearing a 5 degrees lateral-wedged insole. Subjects walked at a constant velocity for both conditions. A motion analysis system and force plate were used to calculate temporal and spatial parameters, joint angles, moments, and powers. An analytical model was developed to estimate medial compartment loads at the knee for each subject during both conditions. Results were compared with a Student's paired t test. There were no significant differences in temporal and spatial parameters, joint angles at the hip, knee, and ankle, or kinetics at the hip and ankle. However, the external varus moment and estimated medial compartment load at the knee were reduced significantly with the addition of the lateral-wedged insole. These results suggest that the pain relief and improvement in function reported by patients with osteoarthritis while using lateral-wedged insoles may be achieved by a reduction in external varus moment and medial compartment load.