Functional results of dynamical gait analysis after 1 year of hobby-athletes with a surgically treated ankle fracture

Retrospectively 20 patients with a surgically treated ankle fracture caused by hobby-accidents were examined clinically and radiologically by a score modified to Phillips after 12 months postoperatively. Further they have taken part in a dynamical gait analysis at the same time. A group of 20 healthy adults was used as a control group comparable to age, sex, height and weight. Although 19 patients out of 20 have achieved a good result at the score evaluation and none of them was clinically noticed with any pathological gait, gait analysis has shown a significant slowed gait speed and a decreased stride lenght. The reduction of the plantarflexor moment at the injured ankle joint immediately following heel contact was yet the most remarkable result of the gait analysis. The changes of gait pattern are interpreted as an adapted and internalized motion pattern caused by pain and behaviour of rest at any time while the mobilisation-phase was going on. It could not document any significant correlation between subjective and clinical parameters and parameters registered by gait analysis. However, a significant correlation of gait-analysed parameters was found between the injured and uninjured side. By dynamical gait analysis it is possible to quantify remarkable gait changes, to obtain objektive data, but also to demonstrate asymmetrical loading and motion that were not clinically detectable previously. It follows that it can be relevant to patients with complaints by leading them to specific physiotherapeutical treatment and gait training so that they would be able to carry on their sports-activities again.