3D analysis

Laboratory for clinical movementanalysis

A 3D gait analysis quantifies the gait pattern of the patient in terms of: Spatiotemporal characteristics: walking velocity, step length, cadance... Variation of joint angles over the gait cycle: Kinematics Loading characteristics of the lower limb: External moments or Kinetics Muscle action: surface electromyography (EMG)
Clinical gait analysis is always combined with a thorough clinical examination, assessing ROM, spasticity and muscle force and selectivity. A full 3D assessment takes 2.5 hours.
On entrance, an anamnesis is taken inquiring about orthotic and physiotherapy regime. Thereafter a video analysis of the gait pattern (barefoot walking) is made from the three planes, including a close-up of the foot.
After this markers for the 3D analysis and electrodes are applied, so that walking trials are recorded during barefoot walking with and without EMG. In case splints are used to improve walking performance, walking trials during walking with splints can be recorded as well.
Although the full 3D gait analysis is time consuming, it is very patient friendly, not harmful and the number of walking trials are limited to the absolute minimum to avoid fatigues.

Minimal requirements for a 3D gait assessment are:

Able to follow commands, sufficient cooperation: cognitive capacity, concentration
Able to walk for 10 meters without hesitation: within at least 20 seconds
Age limit: patient has to be older than 3 years
Height: patient has to be minimum 1m