The Effect of Heel Lifts on Ground Reaction Force Patterns and Lower Extremity Joint Angles in Subjects With Structural Leg Length Discrepancies
Schuit, Dale
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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/71080
Description
Title
The Effect of Heel Lifts on Ground Reaction Force Patterns and Lower Extremity Joint Angles in Subjects With Structural Leg Length Discrepancies
Author(s)
Schuit, Dale
Issue Date
1988
Department of Study
Kinesiology
Discipline
Kinesiology
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
Biology, Animal Physiology
Education, Physical
Abstract
The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effect of heel lifts on ground reaction force patterns and lower extremity joint angles during the stance phase of walking in subjets with structural leg length discrepancies. Eighteen subjects aged 20 to 63 years with LLDs ranging from 3/16 inch to 7/8 inch participated in this study. A force platform and high speed cinematography were utilized to collect ground reaction force and film data respectively. Prior to lift fitting, ground reaction force data were collected from 3 successive walking trials with each lower extremity. Film data were collected during the first two of the 3 walking trials. A heel lift equal to the amount of the LLD (up to a maximum thickness of 1/2 inch) was then fitted in the shoe of the short leg of each subject. After a 3 week break-in period, the same data collection procedure was repeated. Both ground reaction force data and digitized joint angle data were analyzed by the use of a 2 factor within subjects ANOVA with repeated measures. Tukey's post hoc analysis was utilized to compare differences in individual treatment means. All data were compared for the following 4 conditions: (1) short leg no lift (SLNL); (2) long leg no lift (LLNL); (3) short leg lift (SLL); and (4) long leg lift (LLL).
Maximum vertical force increased in both legs after the introduction of the lift. Maximum lateral force was greater in SLNL than in LLNL. Maximum medial force was greater in LLL than SLL. Ankle angle at heel strike and at mid-stance was greater in SLL than SLNL, and ankle angle at heel strike was less in LLL than LLNL.
The use of a heel lift in the shoe of the short leg resulted in increased vertical forces and alterations in medial and lateral forces within both lower extremities, as well as angular changes at both ankles. Therefore, the clinician that decides to utilize a heel lift to correct spine and pelvic alignment must also consider the likelihood of increasing stresses within the joints of the lower extremities.
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