Evaluations Of Gait Parameters Of Patients with Lower Extremity Burn Injuries 
Ozden Ozkal, Semra Topuz, Ali Konan, Kemal Kismet

Objectives: 

Pain, range of motion limitations and impaired sensation are all possible complications of lower extremity with burn injury which cause impaired walking. The purpose of this study was to compare of gait parameters of the burned and nonburned limb in patients with lower extremity burn injuries.

Methods: 

Twelve adults with lower extremity burns ( 9F, 3M; mean age=34±10 years, mean burn surface area=4.3±2.8 %, unilateral limb burns: 7 bilateral limb burns:5 patients) were included in this study. In cases with bilateral lower limb burns, the limb with higher burn surface area was noted as the burned side. Gait parameters were evaluated by GAITRite system which consist of an electronic walkway, within 3 days after burn accident. This equipment collected data on the following components: Step length, cadence, velocity, stance (%Gait cycle) and base support. These values were evaluated using Wilcoxon test. 

Results: 

The results indicated that in the patients with burns step lenght was significantly higher on the burned extremity compared to nonburned extremity (41.36±10.58 cm vs. 37.43±13.59 cm, p=0.008). There was significant difference for stance (%Gait cycle) between burned and nonburned limb (64.32±4.76 % vs. 69.86±8.05 %, p=0.013). Cadence and velocity (81.16±21.65 steps/min vs. 56.63±26.27 cm/sec) were lower than predictive values. Base support (15.31±7.47 cm) was higher than normal values.

Discussion/Conclusion: 
This study showed that gait parameters of burned lower extremity differ from nonburned lower extremity. The larger base of support, increased step lenght, decreased velocity and cadence have been occured in order to maintain balance and stability.  In addition to, pain, fear of movement  may have contributed to the decreased stance phase, cadence and velocity. So that reasons gait training interventions should be included in the acute period of rehabilitation programs for adults with lower extremity burn injuries.

Evaluations Of Gait Parameters Of Patients With Lower Extremity Burn Injuries