Article

Recent research demonstrated that intermittent claudication patients
have increased gait variability prior to the onset of claudication. However, it
is unknown if these patients experience additional gait adaptations after the
onset of claudication. Thus, we sought to determine how gait variability is
affected by claudication in an effort to contribute to improved clinical
management. METHODS: Twenty-six intermittent claudication patients and 20
controls walked on a treadmill at self-selected speed; intermittent claudication
patients were tested before (pain free) and after (pain) the onset of
claudication. Variability of the ankle, knee, and hip joint angles was assessed
using the largest Lyapunov exponent, standard deviation and coefficient of
variation. Dependent t-tests were used to compare the pain free and pain
conditions. Independent t-tests were used to compare intermittent claudication
patients and controls. FINDINGS: Pain free and pain conditions were not
significantly different for any of the parameters evaluated except the ankle.
Compared to controls, patients had significantly greater values for the largest
Lyapunov exponent in both conditions for all joints. INTERPRETATION: Gait
variability was essentially the same before and after the onset of claudication
at the knee and the hip, and was increased in both conditions compared to
controls. This indicates altered cooperation between components of the locomotor
system of intermittent claudication patients, likely due to the associated
myopathy since differences were present even before the onset of claudication.
This research helps provide essential biomechanical knowledge of intermittent
claudication that contributes to improved clinical management.
CI - Copyright (c) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS