Healthy vs. osteoarthritic hips: A comparison of hip, pelvis and femoral parameters and relationships using the EOS® system

Osteoarthritis is a debilitating disease, for which the development path is unknown. Hip, pelvis and femoral morphological and positional parameters relate either to individual differences or to changes in the disease state, both of which should be taken into account when diagnosing and treating patients. These have not yet been comprehensively quantified. Previous imaging studies have been limited by a number of factors: supine rather than standing measurements; high radiation dose; a limited field of view; and 2D rather than 3D measurements. EOS®, a new radiographic imaging modality that acquires simultaneous frontal and lateral (sagittal) X-ray images of the full body, allows 3D reconstruction of the hip, pelvis and lower limb. The aim of the study was to explore similarities and differences between healthy and osteoarthritis groups

The effects of prolonged wear of textured shoe insoles on gait, foot sensation and proprioception in people with Multiple Sclerosis: protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Background: Many people with multiple sclerosis experience problems with walking, which can make daily activities difficult and often leads to falls. Foot sensation plays an important role in keeping the body balanced whilst walking; however, people with multiple sclerosis often have poor sensation on the soles of their feet. Wearing a specially designed shoe insole, which enhances plantar sensory information, could help people with multiple sclerosis to walk better. This study will explore whether long-term wear of a textured insole can improve walking in people with multiple sclerosis

Relation between walking speed and muscle strength is affected by somatosensory loss in multiple sclerosis

Methods: Gait evaluation and isokinetic testing of muscular function were performed in 20 patients with unaided gait (expanded disability status scale < 6). Patients were separated into two groups in relation to the occurrence of somatosensory involvement: pyramidal group (8 patients) and sensory-pyramidal group (12 patients). Ten healthy subjects of similar age, sex, and height constituted a control group to evaluate gait parameters. Results: In the whole patient group, gait speed was reduced and strongly related to hamstring peak torque but not with quadriceps peak torque. The gait speed and peak torques of quadriceps and hamstrings were similar in both groups of patients. However, in the patients with proprioceptive loss there was both a strong correlation between gait speed and hamstring torque and a significant correlation with quadriceps torque. In the pyramidal group there was poor or no correlation. Conclusion: In patients with undifferentiated MS there is some correlation between gait speed and muscle strength. In the case of sensory loss, a higher contribution of both flexor and extensors of the lower limbs was observed, suggesting that muscular compensation occurred in this situation to maintain gait speed. These results are relevant to assess rehabilitation modalities in MS