Biomechanical characteristics of gait of children with congenital locomotion disorders

Peculiarities of biomechanical characteristics of the gait of children with congenital locomotion disorders by example of cerebral palsy were studied. The obtained results allow identifying the main differences in the dynamic stereotype of walk on a horizontal surface for children with cerebral palsy. Dynamics of the angles in the joints of the lower limbs did not differ qualitatively. The angle of hip flexion for patients with cerebral palsy was slightly higher. However, by the speed and direction of body parts movement marked differences were observed. The common center of gravity of healthy child moved forward and upwards predominantly in the first half of the step. Sick children began to move downwards, the main move forward occurred in the second phase of the step and was accompanied by some going upwards. Marked differences between healthy children and those suffering from cerebral palsy were found in the upper limbs. First of all, children with disorders have larger values of the angles of the shoulder joint and smaller -in the elbow joint during the step. The horizontal movement of the shoulder did not differ significantly. At the same time, the vertical movements were opposite. Healthy children started the step with moving the shoulder down, then during the step the shoulder moved up, and in the final phase it lowered again. Sick children, by contrast, at the beginning of the step moved the shoulder up, then during the step moved it down, and in the final phase it went up again. Interestingly, in both groups the common center of gravity and the shoulder girdle during the step was made in the opposite phase. The main differences between the dynamic stereotype of walk on a flat surface of children with cerebral palsy is to delay moving the common center of gravity forward (it takes place during the second half of the step) and disorganization of leg movements (especially the knee) in the vertical plane. Changes in the structure of the shoulder girdle and upper limb motion can be considered as compensatory - vertical movements of the shoulder adjust to the movement of the common center of gravity remaining in the opposite phase to the latter. Errors occur in the motion of the elbow and the wrist - they move in the opposite phase. The identified biomechanical features of the gait of children suffering from cerebral palsy can serve as a basis for the development of rehabilitation programs.

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