Influence of clinical features of the spine on Gait Analysis in adolescent with idiopathic scoliosis

Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis is a three dimensional spinal deformity, that may lead to the development of a pathological gait pattern. Since the last three decades, Gait Analysis has been evolved, providing new dynamic data. Several studies have shown differing gait patterns in scoliotic patients, compared to healthy peers; however, a lack of consistent evidence of the effect of scoliosis on temporal spatial and kinematic parameters still remains. The present work aims at providing the features of gait pattern via three-dimensional motion analysis of level walking in patients with different AIS and exploring the relationship between gait pathology and degree of scoliotic deformity. Twelve females with idiopathic scoliosis, aged between 11 and 17, participated in the study. They were not treated previously, neither surgically, nor conservatively. They underwent objective gait analysis with an optoelectronic system (BTS SpA, Italy). Data for the following parameters were analysed: gait speed, cadence, step length, shoulder, pelvic, hip, knee and ankle range of motion. Additionally, a Global Gait Asymmetry index was calculated. Informed consent has been signed by parents or legal representatives. Before attending the gait analysis, all patients underwent a clinical examination, an X-ray, clinical tests and anthropometric measurements. The comparison of the gait variables with healthy controls revealed that shoulder, pelvis and hip range of motion were significantly different, in line with previous studies, even though no significant differences were found between the concave and convex sides in terms of range of motion. In line with previous findings, our results also indicate that single curve type presented increased angular range of motion both in the sagittal and coronal plane when compared to multiple curve type.