Kinematic and kinetic analysis of static sitting of patients with neuropathic spine deformity.

Wheelchair dependent children with neuropathic and neuromuscular diseases have up to 90% risk for progressive spine deformities. An unbalanced sitting can induce progression of spinal and pelvic deformities. Many current clinical assessment methods of sitting of such patients are semi-quantitative, or questionnaire-based. A 3D movement analysis offers quantitative and objective biomechanical analysis of sitting. The aim was to validate a method to describe quiet sitting and differences between patients and controls as well as to apply the methodology for pre- and post-operative comparison. The analysis was performed on 14 patients and 10 controls. Four patients were retested after spine surgery. Seat load asymmetry was up to 30% in the patient group comparing to maximum 7% in the control group. The asymmetric position of Ground Reaction Force vector between left and right sides was significant. Plumb line of cervical 7th vertebra over sacral 1st was different only in rotation. The location of Common Center of Pressure relative to inter-trochanteric midpoint was more anterior in controls than in patients. Pelvic inclination in patients was smaller, the obliquity and rotation was similar. There were no significant differences between patients and controls of the thorax position. Results with more changes in the seat-loading domain in comparison with posture indicate good postural control compensation of spinal deformity induced disequilibrium despite neuromuscular disease in the background. The comparison of the pelvic obliquity data from kinematics and X-ray showed good correlation. The four patients tested postoperatively improved after surgery.