Asymmetries can make all the difference…

/

Take a good look at these pictures of this gentleman’s feet. Can you see any differences from side to side?

If you look closely, you’ll notice that his right foot is in and abducted position (4 foot adductus) and relatively normal. Asymmetries can make all the difference…

IMG_7024.jpg
IMG_7023.jpg



Take a good look at these pictures of this gentleman‘s feet. Can you see any differences from side to side?

If you look closely, you will notice that his right foot is in an adducted position (forefoot adductus) and the left one relatively normal. If you bisect the heel, it should pass through the second or between the second and third metatarsal in his clearly falls laterally.

So what you say?

Well, putting a foot in relative supination with respect to the other causes certain biomechanical sequela. This forefoot adductus often leads to a forefoot supinatus, so he’s unable to get the head of his first ray down to the ground. Think that might make a difference in his gait cycle?

Think about all the extra internal rotation that will have to occur in that lower extremity during a normal gait cycle. Now combine that with something like external tibial torsion or a leg length discrepancy and things can really stack up and make a big difference.

Lastly, think about the asymmetrical mechanoreceptor input from the joint mechanoreceptors and muscle spindles traveling up the neuraxis. Do you think over time that that may cause some cortical remodeling and ultimately change the way he activates muscles?

Look for asymmetries, they really do matter

Dr Ivo Waerlop, one of The Gait Guys

#asymmetriesmatter #gaitanalysis #thegaitguys #forefootadductus

Asymmetry seems to matter with pathology.

/
image credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:PSM_V46_D167_Outer_surface_of_the_human_brain.jpg

image credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:PSM_V46_D167_Outer_surface_of_the_human_brain.jpg

When you have low back pain, your gait is apt to be asymmetrical

...And that is just what this study showed. It looked at 82 right leg dominant folks with slightly less than 1/2 of them havong low back pain. The folks with lower back pain spent more time on their non dominant leg at the beginning of a gait cycle and on their dominant leg at the end of it. Not surprising that they wanted to find a more stable base or center their COP over the weight bearing foot, especially in light to the fact that the back has such poor cortical representation.

Sung PS, Danial P. A Kinematic Symmetry Index of Gait Patterns Between Older Adults With and Without Low Back Pain. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2017 Dec 1;42(23):E1350-E1356. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000002161.

Want to bring out gait pathology? Add something new into the mix...

/
image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walking

image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walking

We have talked about bringing out compensations and asymmetries in gait patterns by adding a novel stimulus to the exam, like having the client/patient put their hands over their heads, or close their eyes. Here is yet another tool for your toolbox: having the client walk backwards.

Both forward and backward walking share pattern generation control circuits in the brainstem, providing similar (though reversed) kinematic patterns. Backward walking requires different muscle activation sequences which can highlight subtle gait asymmetries, particularly in individuals that have cortical impairment (like the kids with cerebral palsy in this paper) or perhaps people with more subtle cortical impairments, like cerebellar dysafferentation from abnormal joint and muscle mechanoreceptor input and integration. Don’t believe us or what the study says, try it on yourself! It can be a humbling experience : )

In part, the study concludes: “The observed spatiotemporal asymmetry assessments may reflect both impaired supraspinal control and impaired state of the spinal circuitry.”

The next time you are having a difficult time seeing something in an evaluation, or are trying to bring out an asymmetry, in addition to your other tricks, have them walk backwards.

Cappellini G, Sylos-Labini F, MacLellan MJ, Sacco A, Morelli D, Lacquaniti F, Ivanenko Y. Backward walking highlights gait asymmetries in children with cerebral palsy. J Neurophysiol. 2018 Mar 1;119(3):1153-1165. doi: 10.1152/jn.00679.2017. Epub 2017 Dec 20.

The next time they have gait asymmetry, try changing out the insole...

/

or putting a textured one in there...or maybe putting a some sand or dirt in their shoe...

image credit: https://torange.biz

image credit: https://torange.biz

Textured insoles change (we like to think for the better) proprioceptive input and can improve balance and gait performance, both statically and dynamically. We have seen this in folks with parkinsons (1) as well as stroke (2), though it can be used in the elderly (3), in diabetes and neuropathy (4), as well as healthy individuals (5,6). Changes from postural stability, to changes in anterior/posterior sway, to medial/lateral sway, to step length and height, the research is there.

These results support the hypothesis that enhanced somatosensory feedback to the sensory system, both through the spinocerebellar and dorsal column pathways, as well as the vestibular system, results in an improved motor output (and most likely coordination) of gait.

  1. Qiu F, Cole MH, Davids KW, et al. Effects of textured insoles on balance in people with Parkinson's disease. PLoS One. 2013;8(12):e83309. Published 2013 Dec 12. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.00833

  2. Ma CC1, Rao N2, Muthukrishnan S3, Aruin AS4. A textured insole improves gait symmetry in individuals with stroke. Disabil Rehabil. 2017 Aug 7:1-5. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2017.1362477. [Epub ahead of print]

  3. Annino G1,2,3, Palazzo F2, Alwardat MS4, Manzi V5, Lebone P2, Tancredi V1,2,3, Sinibaldi Salimei P2,6,7, Caronti A2, Panzarino M2,3, Padua E2,3. Effects of long-term stimulation of textured insoles on postural control in health elderly. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2018 Apr;58(4):377-384. doi: 10.23736/S0022-4707.16.06705-0. Epub 2016 Sep 15.

  4. Paton J, Glasser S, Collings R, Marsden J. Getting the right balance: insole design alters the static balance of people with diabetes and neuropathy. J Foot Ankle Res. 2016;9:40. Published 2016 Oct 5. doi:10.1186/s13047-016-0172-3

  5. Steinberg N1, Tirosh O, Adams R, Karin J, Waddington G. Influence of Textured Insoles on Dynamic Postural Balance of Young Dancers. Med Probl Perform Art. 2017 Jun;32(2):63-70. doi: 10.21091/mppa.2017.2012.

  6. Collings R1, Paton J2, Chockalingam N3, Gorst T2, Marsden J2. Effects of the site and extent of plantar cutaneous stimulation on dynamic balance and muscle activity while walking. Foot (Edinb). 2015 Sep;25(3):159-63. doi: 10.1016/j.foot.2015.05.003. Epub 2015 May 11.

Thought experiment on symmetry: Does symmetry always matter?

/

the short answer is probably not. the long answer is maybe...

This study looked at gait variability asymmetry in small cohort of experienced distance runnners. They measured different variables at 1500, 3000, 5000, 7500 and 9500 m of a 10000 meter run (about 6.2 miles) on a treadmill. Generally speaking, variability was low and athletes were symmetrical for 5 of seven variables measured and assymetry, when present, was in flight time and impact forces Most aththletes were asymetrical for at least one variable as well.

Their conclusion basically said that being asymmetrical in a few variables is not abnormal and not indicative of asymmetrical gait and since many practitioners analyze symmetry (and variability) caution should be exercised when determining the need for intervention.

So what do we think this means?

most likely:

  • these folks were symmetrical with low variability. In other words, when asymmetry was present, it was small

  • some asymmetry, in some parameters, is probably normal...but,it is usually small if it doesn’t matter. Keep in mind these were expreienced, uninjured folks. th results could have been different with a bigger cohort and less experienced runners and thus...

  • The study does not talk about inexperienced runners. Symmetry and/or asymmetry may not be normal for inexperienced runners

  • Results may have been vastly different if the run had been longer. The study did show that variability increased the further along on the run the athlete was.

  • The study was performed on a treadmill, which may not exemplify or highlight asymmetry, as it creates artificial constraints which we have discussed in by us here, here, and here:

  • We think asymmetry matters, particularly when it comes to hard deformities like torsions and versions, which change the biomechanics of that individual extremity and can be a diagnostic tool for future problems

  • perhaps asymmetry is significant in his population of runners on a subclinical basis

Hanley B, Tucker CB. Gait variability and symmetry remain consistent during high-intensity 10,000 m treadmill running. J Biomech. 2018 Oct 5;79:129-134. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2018.08.008. Epub 2018 Aug 16.

Asymmetries in limbs

/

Repetitive loading of limb asymmetries may have a cost down the road in terms of bone mass and bone structure. This can impact loading responses and musculoskeletal function.

Study purpose: “Asymmetrical loading patterns are commonplace in football sports. Our aims were to examine the influence of training age and limb function on lower-body musculoskeletal morphology.” -Hart et al.

“Conclusion: Asymmetries were evident in athletes as a product of limb function over time. Chronic exposure to routine high-impact, gravitational loads afforded to the support limb preferentially improved bone mass and structure (cross-sectional area and cortex thickness) as potent contributors to bone strength relative to the high-magnitude, muscular loads predominantly afforded to the kicking limb.” -Hart et al.

From:

Musculoskeletal Asymmetry in Football Athletes: A Product of Limb Function over Time.

Hart, Nicolas H.; Nimphius, Sophia; Weber, Jason; Spiteri, Tania; Rantalainen, Timo; Dobbin, Michael; Newton, Robert U.

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise:Post Acceptance: February 11, 2016

Podcast 78: Step Width Gait, Training Asymmetries & more

/

Show sponsors: 

www.newbalancechicago.com

www.lemsshoes.com

A. Link to our server: 

http://traffic.libsyn.com/thegaitguys/pod_78ff.mp3

Direct Download: 

http://thegaitguys.libsyn.com/podcast-78

B. iTunes link:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-gait-guys-podcast/id559864138

C. Gait Guys online /download store (National Shoe Fit Certification and more !) :

http://store.payloadz.com/results/results.aspx?m=80204

D. other web based Gait Guys lectures:

www.onlinece.com   type in Dr. Waerlop or Dr. Allen,  ”Biomechanics”

______________

Today’s Show notes:

24-year-old woman missing entire cerebellum exemplifies the amazing power of brain plasticity

Brain scans reveal ‘gray matter’ differences in media multitaskers

Who are we: Ivo talk a bit about yourself and your educational history and what is your website ?
Shawn…..do the same
and……lets keep each interesting but to just a few minutes
Effect of step width manipulation on tibial stress during running
Does Limited Internal Femoral Rotation Increase Peak Anterior Cruciate Ligament Strain During a Simulated Pivot Landing?
http://ajs.sagepub.com/content/early/2014/09/22/0363546514549446.abstract
Quadriceps Muscle Function After Exercise in Men and Women With a History of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
http://natajournals.com/doi/abs/10.4085/1062-6050-49.3.46