The effect of excessive tibial torsion on the capacity of muscles to extend the hip and knee during single-limb stance

Jennifer Hicks, Allison Arnold, Frank Anderson, Michael Schwartz, Scott Delp

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

100 Scopus citations

Abstract

Excessive tibial torsion, a rotational deformity about the long axis of the tibia, is common in patients with cerebral palsy who walk with a crouch gait. Previous research suggests that this deformity may contribute to crouch gait by reducing the capacity of soleus to extend the knee; however, the effects of excess external torsion on the capacity of other muscles to extend the stance limb during walking are unknown. A computer model of the musculoskeletal system was developed to simulate a range of tibial torsion deformities. A dynamic analysis was then performed to determine the effect of these deformities on the capacity of lower limb muscles to extend the hip and knee at body positions corresponding to the single-limb stance phase of a normal gait cycle. Analysis of the model confirmed that excessive external torsion reduces the extension capacity of soleus. In addition, our analysis revealed that several important muscles crossing the hip and knee are also adversely affected by excessive tibial torsion. With a tibial torsion deformity of 30°, the capacities of soleus, posterior gluteus medius, and gluteus maximus to extend both the hip and knee were all reduced by over 10%. Since a tibial torsion deformity reduces the capacity of muscles to extend the hip and knee, it may be a significant contributor to crouch gait, especially when greater than 30° from normal, and thus should be considered by clinicians when making treatment decisions.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)546-552
Number of pages7
JournalGait and Posture
Volume26
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2007

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This work was funded by the National Institutes of Health through the NIH Roadmap for Medical Research, Grant U54 GM072970 and through NIH Grants HD33929 and HD046814. Financial support was also provided by the National Science Foundation.

Keywords

  • Cerebral palsy
  • Crouch gait
  • Dynamics
  • Induced acceleration
  • Tibial torsion

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