Kinematic Foot Types in Youth with Equinovarus Secondary to Hemiplegia

Authors

Joseph Krzak, Shriners Hospitals for Children
Daniel M. Corcos, University of Illinois at Chicago
Diane L. Damiano, National Institutes of Health
Adam Graf, Shriners Hospitals for Children
Donald Hedeker, University of Chicago
Peter A. Smith, Shriners Hospitals for Children
Gerald F. Harris, Marquette UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Format of Original

7 p.

Publication Date

1-2015

Publisher

Elsevier

Source Publication

Gait & Posture

Source ISSN

0966-6362

Original Item ID

doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2014.10.027

Abstract

Background

Elevated kinematic variability of the foot and ankle segments exists during gait among individuals with equinovarus secondary to hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP). Clinicians have previously addressed such variability by developing classification schemes to identify subgroups of individuals based on their kinematics.

Objective

To identify kinematic subgroups among youth with equinovarus secondary to CP using 3-dimensional multi-segment foot and ankle kinematics during locomotion as inputs for principal component analysis (PCA), and K-means cluster analysis.

Methods

In a single assessment session, multi-segment foot and ankle kinematics using the Milwaukee Foot Model (MFM) were collected in 24 children/adolescents with equinovarus and 20 typically developing children/adolescents.

Results

PCA was used as a data reduction technique on 40 variables. K-means cluster analysis was performed on the first six principal components (PCs) which accounted for 92% of the variance of the dataset. The PCs described the location and plane of involvement in the foot and ankle. Five distinct kinematic subgroups were identified using K-means clustering. Participants with equinovarus presented with variable involvement ranging from primary hindfoot or forefoot deviations to deformity that included both segments in multiple planes.

Conclusion

This study provides further evidence of the variability in foot characteristics associated with equinovarus secondary to hemiplegic CP. These findings would not have been detected using a single segment foot model. The identification of multiple kinematic subgroups with unique foot and ankle characteristics has the potential to improve treatment since similar patients within a subgroup are likely to benefit from the same intervention(s).

Comments

Accepted version. Gait & Posture, Vol. 41, No. 2 (February 2015): 402-408. DOI. © 2014 Elsevier B.V. Used with permission.

Recommended Citation

Krzak, Joseph; Corcos, Daniel M.; Damiano, Diane L.; Graf, Adam; Hedeker, Donald; Smith, Peter A.; and Harris, Gerald F., "Kinematic Foot Types in Youth with Equinovarus Secondary to Hemiplegia" (2015). Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications. 361.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/bioengin_fac/361