Why instrumented gait analysis?
Gait laboratory investigations give scientific backing and explanation of the redundancy being used subsequent to injury, as compensation for neuromuscular inefficiency. We believe that greater understanding of a walking pattern can therefore direct a treatment intervention, or maybe, prevent time-consuming or expensive attempts at treatment of a handicap in those ASIA (D)1 patients whose continuing desire is ‘to turn the clock back’, but in whom the depth of impairment is too great, for success.The surgeons of the last century were very aware of gait problems while treating the effects of poliomyelitis, tuberculosis and bony infection. These diseases have been replaced today by an overwhelming number of musculo-skeletal ageing problems. Joint replacement has preoccupied those treating gait handicap, to the exclusion of much else. However, walking problems post-ASIA (D)1 injury have led to a wave of interest in using medical paralysants like Botulinum toxin10,11 in combination with spl
