Vicki Cameron
Queen Margaret University, UK
Title: A gait analysis toolkit for the foot in rheumatoid arthritis: A case study
Biography
Biography: Vicki Cameron
Abstract
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a symmetrical, small joint polyarthritis that typically affects the feet. Functional foot orthoses control abnormal mechanics of the foot thus providing a stable base for more efficient propulsion. The aim of this research study is to investigate the quantitative kinematic parameters of gait and dynamic plantar foot pressure distribution and thus to determine whether foot orthoses improves the studied gait parameters. Kinematic gait parameters were obtained using a three-dimensional (3D) motion analysis system (VICON 612, Oxford metrics, Oxford, England). Plantar pressure data were obtained using the Tekscan high resolution walkway and in-shoe measuring system. The hallux forefoot angle had an increased plantarflexion movement at toe-off of 40º with orthoses as compared to barefoot resulting in more efficient propulsion. The hindfoot floor angle also saw improvement in frontal plane movement with the total range of movement with the orthoses being 55º compared to the 30º when barefoot. With the Tekscan walkway, peak plantar pressure in the rearfoot was 179 Kilo Pascal’s (KPka) in the left and 176 KPka in the right foot. In-shoe plantar pressure in the rearfoot in both feet was reduced with orthoses use with a difference of 139 KPka in the left and 161 KPka in the right foot.