THE USE OF MOTION ANALYSIS SYSTEM AND ORTHOSIS IN PATIENTS WITH NEURO-MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS

Abstract

Background: Neuro-musculoskeletal disorders are a major source of physical disability involving more than one joint. Monitoring all joints during walking is achieved by using motion analysis system. There is limited evidence to show the suitability of motion analysis system to monitor neuro-musculoskeletal disorders. This research investigated the feasibility of this system to represent in patients with neuro-musculoskeletal disorders during walking. Method: Five groups of normal subjects with: knee osteoarthritis; avascular necrosis of hip joint; spinal cord injury and flat foot were recruited into this study. Kinetic and kinematic parameters were obtained by the use of motion analysis (Qualysis with seven cameras) and a Kistler force platform. The differences between gait parameters of normal and subjects with these disorders were examined using the independent t-tests. Paired t-test analysis was also used to determine the difference between walking with and without orthosis. Significant value was set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: There was a significant difference between the moment applied on the knee joint, the integral area between center of pressure (COP) and center of knee joint (COJ) graphs of normal and osteoarthritis (OA) subjects (p < 0.05). The area between COP and COJ of the ankle joint significantly differed between normal and flat foot subjects (p < 0.05). However, the force transmitted through the hip joint in subjects with Perthes did not differ significantly while walking with and without orthosis. In paraplegic subjects, the force applied on the limb and the mean values of gait parameters varied while walking with different orthoses which showed the feasibility of the system to monitor the performance of subjects with SCI disorder. Conclusion: The findings of the present study imply that the use of motion analysis is feasibility for assessing and monitoring neuro-musculoskeletal disorders. However, different parameters should be selected for various neuro-musculoskeletal disorders.