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Gait abnormalities following rupture of the tendo Achillis

A PEDOBAROGRAPHIC ASSESSMENT

¹ The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Colney Lane, Norwich NR4 7UY, UK.
² Institute of Health, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK.

Correspondence should be sent to Mr M. L. Costa; e-mail: mattcosta{at}hotmail.com

One of the factors that influence the outcome after rupture of the tendo Achillis is abnormality of gait. We prospectively assessed 14 patients and 15 normal control subjects using an in-shoe plantar pressure measurement system. There was a significant reduction in peak mean forefoot pressure in the early period of rehabilitation (p < 0.001). There was a concomitant rise in heel pressure on the injured side (p = 0.05). However, there was no difference in cadence, as determined by the duration of the terminal stance and pre-swing phases as a proportion of total stance. The forefoot pressure deficit in the group with tendon ruptures was smaller when assessed six months after the injury but was still significant (p = 0.029). Pedobarographic assessment confirms that there are marked abnormalities within the gait cycle. Rehabilitation programmes which address these abnormalities may improve outcome.