Graphical presentation of the range of hip and knee rotations for clinical evaluation of gait.
OBJECTIVE
This paper reports a method of using a multi-axis graph to represent the range of rotations at the hip and knee joints during gait for clinical evaluation of a patient's performance.


METHODS
The multi-axis graph uses 12 symmetrically arranged axes to represent each component of range of rotations at the hip and knee joints of both legs. The range of joint rotations of thirteen normal subjects and two patients were measured using an electromagnetic motion tracking system with four foot switches.


RESULTS
The range of joint rotations of normal subjects shows a symmetrical star in the multi-axis graph. Abnormal function of a patient shows an asymmetrical star.


CONCLUSIONS
This representation provides a simple way to examine a patient's performance in a time effective manner. Relevance. In clinical practice, the multi-axis representation of joint rotations can be used as an initial evaluation of a patient's performance to identify problems for further investigation.
Cheng
P L
PL
School of Mechanical, Manufacturing and Medical Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, GPO Box 2434, 2 George Street, QLD 4001, Brisbane, Australia.
Pearcy
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003626:Data Display; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000502:physiology; D007720:Knee Prosthesis; D008297:Male; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D012016:Reference Values; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013808:Therapeutic Community