Influence of the structural deformity of the spine on the gait pathology in scoliotic patients

Scoliosis is not only a spinal deformity, but also leads to the development of a pathological gait pattern. Nearly all studies examining walking in scoliotic patients report some degree of gait abnormality, however the results are somewhat contradictory. Therefore the aim of this study is to explore the relationship between gait pathology and degree of scoliotic deformity in a group of patients with idiopathic scoliosis. Sixty three females with idiopathic scoliosis, aged between 12 and 17 participated in the study. They were not treated previously, neither surgically, nor conservatively. They underwent objective gait analysis with a VICON 460 system. Data for the following parameters were analysed: gait velocity, cadence, step length, pelvic tilt, pelvic retraction, pelvic range of motion in the transverse plane, pelvic obliquity, hip and knee range of motion in the sagittal plane, knee flexion at initial contact, ankle dorsiflexion in swing, foot progression angle. Additionally a Gillette Gait Index (GGI) was calculated. Prior to the gait analysis all patients underwent a clinical examination, an X-ray, clinical tests and anthropometric measurements. In conclusion our results indicate that the gait pathology of the patients with idiopathic thoraco-lumbar (i.e. double curve) scoliosis depends on the severity of the spinal deformity and the type of pelvic deformity.