Effect of intramedullary gradual elongation of the shorter limb on gait patterns

Background: Seven young patients were followed 52 weeks after intramedullary lengthening for limb length discrepancy (LLD). The mean LLD before surgery was 3.0 ± 1.1 cm and 1 year after surgery at the time of the nail-removal it was 0.3 ± 0.3 cm. Methods: The plantar pressures and the ground reaction forces (GRF) were recorded simultaneously with electromyographic (EMG) activities at normal and fast walking speeds. Results: Bilateral comparison indicated that the uncorrected LLD resulted in asymmetrical gait patterns. The peak pressures were higher in the lateral heel and in the medial forefoot in the longer limb as compared to the shorter limb at normal walking speed. At fast walking speed…