The effects of peripheral vascular disease on gait

This study Nas designed to determine whether patients with peripheral vascu lar disease (PVD) hare gait abnormalities. A previous study on humans with PVD found no abnormalities whereas significant gait changes were seen with a rat model of PVD. The study population was comprised of 10 controls and 9 subjects with PVD (all male). The PVD group had documented pain in one or both legs while walking. Subjects ranged in age from 55-92 years of age, wi th a mean age of 69 in the PVD group and 70 in the control group. The GaitM at II system was used to measure both spatial and temporal variables of gai t. Subjects walked across the mat, four to six times, at their comfortable walking speed The PVD group then walked on a treadmill until they experienc ed moderate claudication pain and felt they had to stop (pain levels betwee n 6 and 8 with maximal pain at level 10). Control group walked on a treadmi ll for 10 minutes without pain. All subjects repeated the gait tests on the GaitMat II system immediately after treadmill walking. Claudication pain p ersisted in the PVD group during the second gait test. The PVD group Has no t different than control group in any of the measured variables on the firs t test (p values from .35 to .99). Difference scores (post- minus pre-tread mill walking) for PVD group were significantly different than those for con trol group on 8 of II variables (p values < .005). The primary response in PVD subjects was reduced walking speed (1.02 +/- 0.16 to 0.94 +/- 0.16 m/s) and reduced step length (0.60 +/- 0.08 to 0.57 +/- 0.09 m/s) whereas contr ol subjects increased their speed (1.09 +/- 0.17 to 1.19 +/- 0.19 m/s) and step length (0.63 +/- 0.10 to 0.67 +/- 0.10 m/s). No asymmetries in gait we re measured in either group, either before or after treadmill walking. In c onclusion, PVD subjects were not different in gait while rested, but respon ded to claudication pain by reducing preferred walking speed and step size.