A relationship between lower limb kinetics and foot mechanics during gait

摘要

Orthotics, shoe design, disease or injury can influence dynamic foot mechanics during gait. The influence of alterations in foot mechanics on the kinetics and kinematics of the lower extremities is not well understood. However, the secondary effect of altered loads at the hip and the knee joint resulting from abnormal conditions at the foot can have important clinical implications, since the progression of degenerative joint conditions has been related to abnormal joint loading during gait. Pathological conditions such as flat foot deformity can also influence loads on the lower extremity. A partial or complete tear of the distal muscle tendon that occurs progressively or traumatically can lead to flat foot deformity. However, limited dynamic in vivo information exists on this condition. In particular, it is not known the degree to which kinematics and kinetics of the lower limb change are influenced by changes in foot mechanics. The purpose of this paper was to test the hypothesis that changes in foot mechanics associated with posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) has on the kinematics of the lower limb, specifically focusing on abduction adduction moments of the leg.