Procedures for gait analysis

Observational gait analysis is clinically useful with videotape slow-motion replay and freeze-frame, offering significant improvement over unaided visual observation. Any form of observational gait analysis, however, has limited precision and is more descriptive than quantitative. This article reviews procedures that are available for gait analysis. Gait analysis systems have evolved from cine with manual digitization, electrogoniometry, and video technology to sophisticated automated tracking systems. When used in conjunction with biomechanical models, these systems allow quantitative analysis of many specific gait characteristics such as joint moments and powers (kinetic analysis), joint angles, angular velocities, and angular accelerations (kinematic analysis). Analysis of dynamic electromyographic activity and energy consumption adds useful clinical information to gait analysis. The combination of a careful clinical assessment and gait analysis can be a powerful tool for the clinician.