Upper Extremity Joint Dynamics During Walker Assisted Gait: A Quantitative Approach Towards Rehabilitative Intervention

Authors

Katherine A. Konop, Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Engineering CenterFollow
Kelly M.B. Strifling, Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Engineering Center
Joseph Krzak, Shriners Hospitals for ChildrenFollow
Adam Graf, Shriners Hospitals for ChildrenFollow
Gerald F. Harris, Marquette UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Format of Original

5 p.

Publication Date

10-2011

Publisher

Elsevier

Source Publication

Journal of Experimental and Clinical Medicine

Source ISSN

1878-3317

Original Item ID

doi: 10.1016/j.jecm.2011.09.001

Abstract

Background

Many children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy (CP) use anterior or posterior walkers to aid ambulation. Prolonged use may lead to upper extremity (UE) pathology later in life, including arthritis and joint contractures.

Purpose

This study analyzes the dynamics (kinematics and kinetics) of the shoulder (glenohumeral), elbow, and wrist joints during anterior and posterior walker use. It also examines the dynamic effects of adjusting handle height and grip rotation.

Methods

Ten children with CP underwent motion analysis with upper and lower extremity marker sets and six-degree-of-freedom instrumented walker handles, while using both anterior and posterior walkers. One child underwent the same analysis, with added trials for wrist derotation (adjusted axial grip rotation) and wrist plus elbow derotation (adjusted handle height). A validated kinematic and kinetic model was applied to calculate UE joint angles, joint reaction forces (JRFs), and joint reaction moments (JRMs).

Results

Surprisingly, no statistically significant differences in UE angles, JRFs, or JRMs were observed between anterior and posterior walkers. Wrist derotation, however, decreased the flexion JRM seen at the wrist, and elbow derotation decreased the flexion JRM seen at the elbow.

Conclusion

Anterior and posterior walkers produce similar UE motion and peak loading values. Wrist and elbow joint derotation alters the dynamic effects experienced by the UEs. UE motion analysis during aided gait can be useful for optimizing UE loading conditions to limit pathology later in life.

Comments

Accepted version. Journal of Experimental & Clinical Medicine, Volume 3, No. 5 (October 2011), DOI: 10.1016/j.jecm.2011.09.001. © 2011 Elsevier. Used with permission.

Recommended Citation

Konop, Katherine A.; Strifling, Kelly M.B.; Krzak, Joseph; Graf, Adam; and Harris, Gerald F., "Upper Extremity Joint Dynamics During Walker Assisted Gait: A Quantitative Approach Towards Rehabilitative Intervention" (2011). Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications. 30.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/bioengin_fac/30