A biomechanical pilot case study on the effect of spinal fusion surgery on gait loading asymmetry in scoliosis patients
Spinal fusion surgery is commonly performed to correct spinal deformities in scoliosis patients; however, its effect on gait biomechanics, particularly ground reaction force (GRF) asymmetry, is not well established. This study investigates gait loading asymmetry before and four months after spinal f...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2025-06-01
|
| Series: | Results in Engineering |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123025015014 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| Summary: | Spinal fusion surgery is commonly performed to correct spinal deformities in scoliosis patients; however, its effect on gait biomechanics, particularly ground reaction force (GRF) asymmetry, is not well established. This study investigates gait loading asymmetry before and four months after spinal fusion surgery by analyzing GRF-derived parameters in patients with varying scoliosis severity. Five patients (four females, one male; aged 6–19) underwent level walking trials before and after surgery. GRFs were recorded using dual force plates in three dimensions. The Kinetic Asymmetry Index (KAI) quantified loading differences between limbs in the mediolateral (M-L), anterior-posterior (A-P), and vertical planes. No consistent reduction in asymmetry was found post-surgery. The M-L plane exhibited the highest asymmetry, with KAI increasing in 4 out of 5 patients. For example, KAI in braking peak time (t4) reached 90.2 % post-surgery in one case, indicating substantial temporal instability. Four patients showed increased propulsive force on the left side. Persistent abnormalities were observed in pre-swing phases across A-P and vertical components. Spinal fusion surgery did not yield measurable improvements in GRF symmetry. The results suggest compensatory gait mechanisms remain uncorrected without targeted rehabilitation. Post-operative therapy is recommended to restore kinetic balance and functional gait. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 2590-1230 |