Advisor Information

Sara Myers

Location

Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library

Presentation Type

Poster

Start Date

3-3-2017 10:45 AM

End Date

3-3-2017 12:00 PM

Abstract

INTRO. Claudication is lower leg pain that resides with rest. There are two potential causes of claudication: Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) and Lumbar Spinal Stenosis (LSS). Vasculogenic claudication is the defining characteristic of PAD. There is little research that exists to differentiate the two forms of claudication and there is little no non-invasive to determine which condition is causing the claudication. The purpose of this study is to utilize biomechanics to distinguish between individuals with claudication that arises from neurogenic versus vasculogenic causes. METHODS. Four LSS subjects completed a walking test on a treadmill (Gardner Test). The treadmill is pressure sensored and continually measures force distribution during walking. The data from these patients were compared to current literature and statistics on PAD patients. Dependent variables included stride time, ground reaction force, initial claudication distance, and absolute claudication distance. RESULTS. The PAD groups exhibited higher ground reaction forces than LSS. PAD patients also exhibited lower stride times and shorter claudication distances. DISCUSSION. It appears that the onset of claudication pain is quicker in PAD subjects than LSS subjects. PAD patients tend to shorten their gait stride as pain becomes more apparent, causing a decreased stride time compared to LSS patients. Further research is needed to help differentiate between the two causes of claudication.

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Biomechanics Commons

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Mar 3rd, 10:45 AM Mar 3rd, 12:00 PM

Treadmill Walking in Claudication

Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library

INTRO. Claudication is lower leg pain that resides with rest. There are two potential causes of claudication: Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) and Lumbar Spinal Stenosis (LSS). Vasculogenic claudication is the defining characteristic of PAD. There is little research that exists to differentiate the two forms of claudication and there is little no non-invasive to determine which condition is causing the claudication. The purpose of this study is to utilize biomechanics to distinguish between individuals with claudication that arises from neurogenic versus vasculogenic causes. METHODS. Four LSS subjects completed a walking test on a treadmill (Gardner Test). The treadmill is pressure sensored and continually measures force distribution during walking. The data from these patients were compared to current literature and statistics on PAD patients. Dependent variables included stride time, ground reaction force, initial claudication distance, and absolute claudication distance. RESULTS. The PAD groups exhibited higher ground reaction forces than LSS. PAD patients also exhibited lower stride times and shorter claudication distances. DISCUSSION. It appears that the onset of claudication pain is quicker in PAD subjects than LSS subjects. PAD patients tend to shorten their gait stride as pain becomes more apparent, causing a decreased stride time compared to LSS patients. Further research is needed to help differentiate between the two causes of claudication.