GAIT ANALYSIS IN PATIENTS AFTER VAN-NES ROTATIONPLASTY

Gait was analyzed through kinetic, kinematic, and temporal-distance pa rameters assessment to evaluate the functional performance of ten chil dren treated by the classical Van Nes rotationplasty (VNR). Van Nes ro tationplasty is a surgical procedure, which permits the conversion of the ankle joint into a ''pseudo-knee'' joint. The data were compared w ith measurements of a normal population of ten healthy subjects. Signi ficant differences with respect to the normal were found in stride dur ation, stride length, cadence, velocity, and stance-swing ratio, and i n ground-reaction forces parameters, which define the propulsive phase in the prosthetic side and the acceptance phase in the sound side. Th ere were differences in some kinematic parameters as well. Van Nes rot ationplasty is acceptable from a biomechanical-functional point of vie w, particularly with respect to the active control of the pseudo-knee, which allows a smooth and coordinate gait pattern.