Background: Ankle fratures and achilles tendon ruptures are frequent injuries in the lower extremity. 2 years after ankle fractures there is still deficits in gait function, and 2-6 years after achilles tendon ruptures there is a loss of function in the ankle joint. Early weightbearing exercises has shown positive effects on stiffness in the ankle joint, muscle- and bone atrophy, return to normal activities and job. However, full weightbearing may be contraindicated shortly after the injury, and therefore bodyweight supported exercise may be an advantage. However, there is a lack of evidence in this field of research.
Objective: The purpose of this study was to characterize the gait pattern of patients with ankle fracture or achilles tendon rupture in overground walking and walking on an AGT.
Methods: 9 participants was included in two partial trials – one trial with overground walking and one walking on an AGT. The gait pattern was characterized in both situations by quantitative parameters, including walking speed, cadence, range of motion (ROM) and symmetry-indexes for swing and stance. Approx. 30 steps were recorded in each situation with Shimmer3 sensors. The data processing was performed in MatLab, excel and Kinovea. Gait patterns were compared to normal values from a healthy population and values from a similar group.
Results: There was no significant difference between the symmetry-index from a healthy population and symmetry-indexes for swing in overground walking and swing and stance in walking on an AGT. In both conditions, the participants gait speed was significantly lower than the gait speed of a healthy population, and higher than a similar group.
Conclusion: The gait pattern of patients with ankle fracture or achilles tendon rupture is in both overground walking and walking on an AGT, characterized by a significantly reduced gait speed compared to a healthy population, and a higher gait speed than a similar group. There was no difference in symmetry-index in overground walking and walking on an AGT compared to what is considered as normal. More research is required.