Demchuk R. Biomechanical analysis of gait after ankle fractures

Subject of research: long-term walking of patients with consolidated ankle fractures. Object of study: unbiased biomechanical assessment of long-term supporting kinematic function of walking in patients with consolidated ankle fractures. Methods: clinical, radiological, biometrical, medico-statistical. Quantitative and qualitative characteristics of walking were first established. Correlations of walking parameters as well as pressor indices of foot weight bearing in patients with consolidated ankle fractures were found. Quality of walking, absence of claudication in particular, was found to depend on symmetry of steps and position of the foot. Physiological correction of walking aimed at prevention of claudication and proportional plantar distribution of load on the foot and its parts was first proved to occur. Step length was first found to be directly proportional to foot support capability. Long-term flattening of the arch of injured extremity leading to talipes valgus (eversion) was first found, i.e. parts of foot load during walking were changed resulting in its pathologic position. The results obtained enable to reveal long-term mechanisms of walking characteristics in patients with consolidated ankle fractures. Spatial and temporal parameters of walking in addition to pressor foot load can be used as the criteria for evaluation of pathologic walking, for diagnostics and differential diagnostics in traumatology and orthopedy clinics including rehabilitation stages as well as for increased quality assessment of therapeutic efficacy. Investigation of spatial and temporal parameters of walking in addition to pressor foot load is of great significance for objective evaluation of walking and the results of treatment as well as in determining possible orthopedic support. The results of investigation were introduced into clinical practice of Scientific Research Institute of Disabled Veterans at Vinnytsia National Pirogov Memorial Medical University, Traumatology Department at Regional Pirogov Memorial Clinical Hospital, Traumatology Department at City Hospital of Emergency Medicine and in educational process of Orthopedy and Traumatology Chair at Vinnytsia National Pirogov Memorial Medical University of Ministry of Health of Ukraine.