title: Gait Analysis in Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy.
abstract: METHODS
  Gait analysis of patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) by using a sheet-type gait analysis system.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to compare the gait patterns of patients with CSM, evaluated by the Nurick grades, and to determine the threshold values of gait parameters predicting the occurrence of a fall by using a gait recorder.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Gait disorder due to CSM may progress to severe paraplegia, following even a minor trauma such as a fall. The indications for the surgery of CSM without severe paralysis remain controversial. The quantitative gait analysis and the decision for decompressive surgery in patients with CSM are important in order to prevent severe paraplegia from a fall.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred thirty-two subjects (normal, 34; CSM, 98) underwent gait analysis by using a sensor sheet. Measurements of gait cycle parameters included the step and stride length, step width, foot angle, swing phase, and stance phase. CSM was assessed by Nurick grade.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although the clinical symptoms were lacking, Nurick grade 1 had significant abnormalities in the parameters of velocity, step length, and step angle (p<0.05). Regarding the Nurick grade and walking phase, the length of the stance phase was increased to more than 70% of the entire walking cycle in Nurick grade 4.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gait analysis was an objective tool for evaluating the gait stability. Our results suggested that when the percentage of the stance phase in the gait cycle increases to above 70%, the CSM patients have an increased fall risk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Hirosuke
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nishimura
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Endo
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Hidekazu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Hidetoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Takaaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shishido
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Kengo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
keywords: Gait; Movement disorders; Physical examination; Spinal cord diseases