Gait modification strategies of trunk over left stance phase in patients with right anterior cruciate ligament deficiency.

Purpose: To investigate the gait modification strategies of trunk over left stance phase in patients with right anterior cruciate ligament deficiency (ACL-D).

Methods: Thirty-six patients with right ACL-D and thirty-six health subjects (control) were recruited to undergo a 3-dimensional (3D) gait analysis. Coordinate data from 26 reflective markers positioned on the body surface of participants were recorded with a 3D optical video motion capture system, as they walked on the ground, ascended and descended a custom-built staircase. Angle changes in the 3-planes under different walking conditions were analyzed.

Results: There were statistically significant differences between the two groups in the trunk at the transverse plane angle in most measurements. With the walk pattern of stair descent, the trunk at all 3-plane angles, at the maximum value of the left knee sagittal/coronal/transverse plane moment, was significantly different between the two groups (P ≤ 0.03).

Conclusions: Our findings suggested that special gait modification of trunk is apparent over stance of left (healthy) side in patients with right ACL-D. The results of this study may supply more insight with respect to improving the diagnosis and rehabilitation of ACL-D. This information may also be helpful for a better use of walk and stair tasks as part of a rehabilitation program and provide a safe guideline for the patients.