title: Gait kinematic analysis in patients with a mild form of central cord syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Central cord syndrome (CCS) is considered the most common incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI). Independent ambulation was achieved in 87-97% in young patients with CCS but no gait analysis studies have been reported before in such pathology. The aim of this study was to analyze the gait characteristics of subjects with CCS and to compare the findings with a healthy age, sex and anthropomorphically matched control group (CG), walking both at a self-selected speed and at the same speed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve CCS patients and a CG of twenty subjects were analyzed. Kinematic data were obtained using a three-dimensional motion analysis system with two scanner units. The CG were asked to walk at two different speeds, at a self-selected speed and at a slower one, similar to the mean gait speed previously registered in the CCS patient group. Temporal, spatial variables and kinematic variables (maximum and minimum lower limb joint angles throughout the gait cycle in each plane, along with the gait cycle instants of occurrence and the joint range of motion - ROM) were compared between the two groups walking at similar speeds.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The kinematic parameters were compared when both groups walked at a similar speed, given that there was a significant difference in the self-selected speeds (p < 0.05). Hip abduction and knee flexion at initial contact, as well as minimal knee flexion at stance, were larger in the CCS group (p < 0.05). However, the range of knee and ankle motion in the sagittal plane was greater in the CG group (p < 0.05). The maximal ankle plantar-flexion values in stance phase and at toe off were larger in the CG (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The gait pattern of CCS patients showed a decrease of knee and ankle sagittal ROM during level walking and an increase in hip abduction to increase base of support. The findings of this study help to improve the understanding how CCS affects gait changes in the lower limbs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Hospital for Spinal Cord Injury, SESCAM, Toledo, Spain. amgila@sescam.jccm.es
authors.forename: Angel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gil-Agudo
authors.forename: Soraya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pérez-Nombela
authors.forename: Arturo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Forner-Cordero
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pérez-Rizo
authors.forename: Beatriz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Crespo-Ruiz
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: del Ama-Espinosa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000842:Ankle / Q000502:physiology; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D020210:Central Cord Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006615:Hip / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007717:Knee / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009038:Motion; D010388:Pelvis / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult