Analysis of Muscle Activity Related to Retention of the Axillary Pad of Crutches

Abstract

[Purpose] To clarify the reason why the axillary pad often deviates from the axilla during double-crutch walking using a musculoskeletal simulator. [Participants and Methods] The subjects were five healthy young males without orthopedic disease. Movement during crutch walking was measured using a 3D motion analysis system. Based on the obtained data, muscle activity related to the shoulder joint during double-crutch walking was modeled using a musculoskeletal simulation. [Results] The shoulder joint was abducted in the crutch stance phase of all subjects. [Conclusion] The results suggest that crutch walking with the shoulder blades rotated downward may suppress the activity of the abductor muscle of the shoulder joint and the activity of the shoulder joint adductor muscle.