title: Impaired gait in ankylosing spondylitis.
abstract: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic, inflammatory rheumatic disease. The spine becomes rigid from the occiput to the sacrum, leading to a stooped position. This study aims at evaluating AS subjects gait alterations. Twenty-four subjects were evaluated: 12 normal and 12 pathologic in stabilized anti-TNF-alpha treatment (mean age 49.42 (10.47), 25.44 (3.19) and mean body mass index 55.75 (3.19), 23.73 (2.7), respectively). Physical examination and gait analysis were performed. A motion capture system synchronized with two force plates was used. Three-dimensional kinematics and kinetics of trunk, pelvis, hip, knee and ankle were determined during gait. A trend towards reduction was found in gait velocity and stride length. Gait analysis results showed statistically significant alterations in the sagittal plane at each joint for AS patients (P < 0.049). Hip and knee joint extension moments showed a statistically significant reduction (P < 0.044). At the ankle joint, a decreased plantarflexion was assessed (P < 0.048) together with the absence of the heel rocker. Gait analysis, through gait alterations identification, allowed planning-specific rehabilitation intervention aimed to prevent patients' stiffness together with improve balance and avoid muscles' fatigue.
authors.affiliation: Department of Information Engineering, University of Padova, Via Gradenigo 6/B, 35131, Padua, Italy. silvia.deldin@dei.unipd.it
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Del Din
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Carraro
authors.forename: Zimi
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Sawacha
authors.forename: Annamaria
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Guiotto
authors.forename: Lara
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bonaldo
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Masiero
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cobelli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology