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Smita Rao, Fred Dietz, and H. John Yack

The purpose of this study was to compare estimates of gastrocnemius muscle length (GML) obtained using a segmented versus straight-line model in children. Kinematic data were acquired on eleven typically developing children as they walked under the following conditions: normal gait, crouch gait, equinus gait, and crouch with equinus gait. Maximum and minimum GML, and GML change were calculated using two models: straight-line and segmented. A two-way RMANOVA was used to compare GML characteristics. Results indicated that maximum GML and GML change during simulated pathological gait patterns were influenced by model used to calculate gastrocnemius muscle length (interaction: P = .004 and P = .026). Maximum GML was lower in the simulated gait patterns compared with normal gait (P < .001). Maximum GML was higher with the segmented model compared with the straight-line model (P = .030). Using either model, GML change in equinus gait and crouch with equinus gait was lower compared with normal gait (P < .001). Overall, minimum GML estimated with the segmented model was higher compared with the straight-line model (P < .01). The key findings of our study indicate that GML is significantly affected by both gait pattern and method of estimation. The GML estimates tended to be lower with the straight-line model versus the segmented model.

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David A. Hampton, Kevin W. Hollander, and Jack R. Engsberg

A theory for equinus gait in cerebral palsy (CP) is that the strong plantarflexors prevent the weak dorsiflexors from achieving dorsiflexion, thereby causing the ankle to be in a plantarflexed position. Recent work has indicated that both the ankle dorsiflexors and plantarflexors are weak. The purpose of this research was to theoretically and experimentally demonstrate that equinus deformity gait could be a compensatory strategy for plantarflexor weakness. It was hypothesized that children with CP utilize an equinus position during gait as a consequence of their weakness. A two-dimensional, sagittal plane model estimating plantarflexor forces through the Achilles tendon was developed. Five able-bodied (AB) children were tested utilizing heel-toe and progressively increasing toe walking strategies. Four children with CP were tested as they walked using their equinus gait. Results demonstrated that AB children assuming the toe walking stance progressively reduced the plantarflexor force when compared to their heel-toe walking trials. However, their toe walking strategy could not reduce the plantarflexor force level to that of the children with CP during the gait cycle. It was concluded that the equinus deformity posture complemented the CP children's plantarflexor weakness. Therefore, by implementing a concomitant strategy to maintain a reduced force state, equinus deformity could be used as a compensatory mechanism for individuals with plantarflexor weakness.

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Andrej Olenšek, Zlatko Matjačić, and Tadej Bajd

When studying pathological gait it is important to correctly identify primary gait anomalies originating from damage to the central nervous and musculoskeletal system and separate them from compensatory changes of gait pattern, which is often challenging due to the lack of knowledge related to biomechanics of pathological gait. A mechanical system consisting of specially designed trousers, special shoe arrangement, and elastic ropes attached to selected locations on the trousers and shoes is proposed to allow emulation of muscle contractures of soleus (SOL) and gastrocnemius (GAS) muscles and both SOL-GAS. The main objective of this study was to evaluate and compare gait variability as recorded in normal gait and when being constrained with the proposed system. Six neurologically and orthopedically intact volunteers walked along a 7-m walkway while gait kinematics and kinetics were recorded using VICON motion analysis system and two AMTI forceplates. Statistical analysis of coefficient of variation of kinematics and kinetics as recorded in normal walking and during the most constrained SOL-GAS condition showed comparable gait variability. Inspection of resulting group averaged gait patterns revealed considerable resemblance to a selected clinical example of spastic diplegia, indicating that the proposed mechanical system potentially represents a novel method for studying emulated pathological gait arising from artificially induced muscle contractures in neurologically intact individuals.

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Kenton R. Kaufman and William J. Shaughnessy

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Martin Švehlík, Kryštof Slabý, Tomáš Trc̆, and Jir̆í Radvanský

The aim of the study is to investigate whether the net nondimensional oxygen utilization scheme is able to detect postoperative improvement in the energy cost of walking in children with cerebral palsy and to compare it with a body mass normalization scheme. We evaluated 10 children with spastic cerebral palsy before and 9 months after equinus deformity surgery. Participants walked at a given speed of 2 km/hr and 3 km/hr on a treadmill. Oxygen utilization was measured, and mass relative VO2 and net nondimensional VO2 were calculated. Coefficient of variation was used for the description of variability among subjects. Postoperatively, gait kinematics normalized and the mass relative VO2 and net nondimensional VO2 showed significant improvement. Net nondimensional VO2 is able to detect postoperative improvement with smaller variability among subjects than body mass related normalization in children with cerebral palsy.

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Arhum Saleem, Irfan A. Khan, Nisha J. Crouser, and Kevin D. Martin

immobilized in an equinus position. First, a longitudinal incision medial to the midline of the tendon was made. The rupture was then sutured using the Krackow technique, making sure to identify and protect the sural nerve in the surgical field. Open repair:  Open Achilles tendon repair was conducted with an

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Brian V. Hortz and Sue Falsone

(ROM) restriction but a negative sign of gastrocnemius equinus, a negative Silfverskiold test. Knee ROM was within normal limits bilaterally, and hip ROM was within normal limits bilaterally except internal rotation (24° R and 32° L) and external rotation (28° R and 45° L). She had a negative Tinel

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Lütfiye Akkurt, İpek Alemdaroğlu Gürbüz, Ayşe Karaduman, and Öznur Tunca Yilmaz

effects of ankle limitations on the function of children with DMD and concluded that the equinus position of the ankle, caused by decreased muscle strength and increased joint limitations, was an important postural adaptation for the preservation of functional activities in these children. In another

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Vincent Shieh, Ashwini Sansare, Minal Jain, Thomas Bulea, Martina Mancini, and Cris Zampieri

Training, 52 ( 12 ), 1089 – 1095 . PubMed ID: 29154694 doi:10.4085/1062-6050-52.11.23 10.4085/1062-6050-52.11.23 Bourelle , S. , Berge , B. , Gautheron , V. , & Cottalorda , J. ( 2010 ). Computerized static posturographic assessment after treatment of equinus deformity in children with cerebral

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Figen Govsa, Gkionoul Nteli Chatzioglou, Simin Hepguler, Yelda Pinar, and Ozden Bedre

, Bremner A , Slack-Smith L , Bryant A . The relationship between foot posture index, ankle equinus, body mass index and intermetatarsal neuroma . J Foot Ankle Res . 2016 ; 9 : 46 . PubMed ID: 27980684 doi:10.1186/s13047-016-0179-9 10.1186/s13047-016-0179-9 27980684 17. Kanchan T , Krishan K