The effect of isolated gastrocnemius contracture and gastrocnemius recession on lower extremity kinematics and kinetics during stance

Department

Athletic Training

Document Type

Article

Publication Source

Clinical Biomechanics

Publication Date

2012-11-01

Volume

27

Issue

9

First Page

917

Last Page

923

Abstract

Background: Isolated gastrocnemius contracture limits ankle dorsiflexion with full knee extension and is potentially problematic during mid-stance of gait when 10° of dorsiflexion and full knee extension are needed. It is during this time that patients with isolated gastrocnemius contracture may demonstrate altered kinematics and/or kinetics. When conservative management fails to resolve painful foot pathologies associated with non-spastic isolated gastrocnemius contracture, gastrocnemius recession surgery has been suggested to resolve contracture and improve function and strength. However, there are no published reports on lower extremity kinematics/kinetics in the non-spastic isolated gastrocnemius contracture population. Assessment of alterations in gait mechanics is necessary to examine the effects of this potential surgical intervention. Methods: Lower extremity kinematics and kinetics were assessed in 6 patients clinically diagnosed with isolated gastrocnemius contracture pre- and post-surgical recession compared with 33 healthy control participants. Findings: Pre-operatively, patients with isolated gastrocnemius contracture demonstrated significantly increased peak knee flexion angles and knee flexion moments during mid-stance. There were no differences in peak ankle dorsiflexion angle or peak plantar flexion moment. Gastrocnemius recession did not alter gait kinematics/kinetics following surgery. Joint kinematic strategies utilized to compensate for isolated gastrocnemius contracture varied minimally between participants with IGC; most employed a flexed knee strategy, while one participant utilized a reduced ankle dorsiflexion strategy. Interpretation: Select post-surgical gait mechanics were unaltered; however, gait mechanics were not similar between non-spastic isolated gastrocnemius contracture patients and healthy control participants. Surgical intervention for patients with isolated gastrocnemius contracture does not appear to create any negative gait adaptations; however, patients may benefit from gait retraining post-recession as maladaptive gait patterns persist post operatively. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Ankle, Gait, Gastrocnemius recession surgery, Knee, Strayer

DOI

10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2012.06.010

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2012.06.010

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