Gait Analysis for Multiply Impaired Weight Bearing Joints in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Abstract

Using a force-plate system, gait studies were performed on 30 RA patients with multiply impaired weight bearing joints and compared with 20 normal healthy adults. The following gait parameters were selected for this study: vertical component of stance phase impulse/stance phase duration, fore and after component of stance phase impulse. All parameters showed that there was a statistical significance between the gait of normal adults and that of RA patients. Furthermore, results from this study indicated that the weight of the hip was important with respect to impairment in the lower extremities.