Kinetic and Kinematic Gait Changes in Patients Suffering from Foot Drop Disorder

Background: Patients with foot drop may need compensatory mechanisms to improve their gait. Although several gait analysis parameters have been studied in these individuals, no prior research has examined their joint contact force. Thus, this study investigated multiple gait analysis parameters and the joint contact force in patients with foot drop.Methods: This experimental study recruited twenty individuals aged 15 to 60 (mean value 56.4 ± 3.68) with foot drop disorders. A control group was also matched with the first group based on age, height, and gender. The participants were instructed to walk along a 12-meter path. A motion analysis system with eight high-speed cameras and a Kistler force plate was used. During gait analysis, various parameters were measured, such as spatiotemporal, peak forces applied on the leg, range of motions, moments applied on the lower limbs, and joint contact forces.Results: The mean values of stride length and speed for normal subjects were 1.32±0.2 m and 1.24 ± 0.177 m/s, respectively, compared to 0.961±0.24 m and 0.686 ± 0.25 m/s for foot drop subjects (p-value = 0.00). The joint contact force components of the ankle joint increased significantly in foot drop subjects compared to normal subjects.Conclusion: The joint contact forces of the ankle joint increased significantly in foot drop patients, which should be considered in the rehabilitation treatment of these patients.