Abstract
•Normal alignment of lower limbs is crucial for normal gait pattern.•Rotational deviations and gait performance were measured for hemiplegic children.•Gait velocity and spatial walking-symmetry are primarily influenced by hip rotation.•Temporal gait-symmetry is associated with the foot progression angle.•This knowledge guide clinicians to plan effectively for hemiplegic children.
Transverse-plane kinematic deviations of lower limbs are common in children with unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP), often with detrimental consequences for gait.
To identify the most important factor among rotational anomalies of lower limbs for gait in children with UCP.
In a descriptive observational study, 42 children with UCP (age; 5–8 years) who had the ability of independent walking were included. Comprehensive gait analysis was performed and included assessment of the transverse-plane kinematic deviations of the lower limbs [pelvis, hip, and ankle rotation angles, and foot progression (FP) angle], and spatial-temporal gait features [velocity, step length (SL), single-limb support time (SLSt), temporal gait-symmetry index (T-GSI), and spatial gait-symmetry index (S-GSI)].
The regression analysis indicated that hip rotation was the key determinant of gait velocity (R2 = 0.75, P < .001) and S-GSI (R2 = 0.24, P = .001). The FP angle was the most important factor for T-GSI (R2 = 0.22, P = .002). The ankle rotation explained in part the variance in T-GSI (R2 = 0.10, P = .001).
Gait velocity and spatial gait-symmetry are primarily affected by hip rotation anomalies. The temporal gait-symmetry is generally associated with the FP angle deviation and partly with ankle rotation deviation.