Degree
Master of Science
Program
Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
Supervisor
Dr. Kara K. Patterson
Abstract
Post-stroke temporal gait asymmetry (TGA) could cause excess loading of the non-paretic leg which may cause musculoskeletal (MSK) issues in the knee. This thesis investigated knee loading during gait and its relationship to TGA post-stroke. Methods: Gait analysis was conducted in nine people post-stroke. Gait was classified as symmetric (TGS) or asymmetric and external knee adduction (KAM) and flexion moments (KFM) were calculated. Participants were compared to healthy older adults (n=109) on KAM and KFM. The proportion of individuals with increased loading was compared between the TGS and TGA groups. Results: Six and four participants exhibited increased loading of the non-paretic and paretic leg respectively. TGA and TGS groups did not differ in the proportion of individuals with increased loading. Conclusion: People post-stroke exhibited increased loading of the paretic and/or non-paretic leg but it was unrelated to TGA. Future work should investigate secondary MSK issues post-stroke in a longitudinal study.
Recommended Citation
Marrocco, Stephanie, "Characterizing Knee Loading Patterns in People Post-Stroke" (2015). Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository. 2845.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/2845