Gait analysis using optical tracking equipment has been demonstrated to be a clinically useful tool for measuring three-dimensional kinematics and kinetics of the human body. However, in current practice, the foot is treated as a single rigid segment that articulates with the lower leg, meaning the motions of the joints of the foot cannot be measured. A multisegment kinematic model of the foot was developed for use in a gait analysis laboratory. The foot was divided into hindfoot, talus, midfoot, and medial and lateral forefoot segments. Six functional joints were defined: Ankle and subtalar joints, frontal and transverse plane motions of the hindfoot relative to midfoot, supination-pronation twist of the forefoot relative to midfoot, and medial longitudinal arch height-to-length ratio. Twelve asymptomatic subjects were tested during barefoot walking with a six-camera optical stereometric system and passive markers organized in triads. Repeatability of reported motions was tested using coefficients of multiple correlation. Ankle and subtalar joint motions and twisting of the forefoot were most repeatable. Hindfoot motions were least repeatable both within subjects and between subjects. Hindfoot and forefoot pronations in the frontal place were found to coincide with dropping of the medial longitudinal arch between early to midstance, followed by supination and rising of the arch in late stance and swing phase. This multisegment foot model overcomes a major shortcoming in current gait analysis practice—the inability to measure motion within the foot. Such measurements are crucial if gait analysis is to remain relevant in orthopaedic and rehabilitative treatment of the foot and ankle.
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March 2009
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Foot Segment Kinematics During Normal Walking Using a Multisegment Model of the Foot and Ankle Complex
Thomas R. Jenkyn,
Thomas R. Jenkyn
Wolf Orthopaedic Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering,
The University of Western Ontario
, London ON N6A 5B9, Canada
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Kiersten Anas,
Kiersten Anas
Wolf Orthopaedic Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering,
The University of Western Ontario
, London ON N6A 5B9, Canada
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Alexander Nichol
Alexander Nichol
Department of Bioengineering,
University of Strathclyde
, Glasgow G4 0NW, UK
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Thomas R. Jenkyn
Wolf Orthopaedic Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering,
The University of Western Ontario
, London ON N6A 5B9, Canada
Kiersten Anas
Wolf Orthopaedic Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering,
The University of Western Ontario
, London ON N6A 5B9, Canada
Alexander Nichol
Department of Bioengineering,
University of Strathclyde
, Glasgow G4 0NW, UKJ Biomech Eng. Mar 2009, 131(3): 034504 (7 pages)
Published Online: January 5, 2009
Article history
Received:
October 31, 2006
Revised:
July 12, 2007
Published:
January 5, 2009
Citation
Jenkyn, T. R., Anas, K., and Nichol, A. (January 5, 2009). "Foot Segment Kinematics During Normal Walking Using a Multisegment Model of the Foot and Ankle Complex." ASME. J Biomech Eng. March 2009; 131(3): 034504. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2907750
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