Electronic studies of gait disturbances. A new method of gait examination in patients with arthrodesis of the ankle and/or subtalar joint.

A follow-up study on 160 patients with an arthrodesis of the ankle and/or subtalar joint has been made. Besides clinical and roentgenological examinations the gait of the patients was checked with a new electronic device. In addition we tested the pressure distribution underneath the sole of the affected foot and compared it to the contralateral side. This was found to be a valuable contribution to the examination methods used and can help to give a more objective judgement of the patients subjective complaints. Besides confirming known facts it was found that there were divergent results of electronic gait studies from examinations which are based on the usual clinical and X-ray studies. This may help to improve the patient's gait by correcting mechanical aids or, in rare cases, indicating another operation.