Biomechanics and Motion Analysis

Changes in Gait Associated with Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction

Principal Investigator: Kenton R. Kaufman, Ph.D.
Project Coordinator: Stacie I. Ringleb — ringleb.stacie@mayo.edu

Figure 1: Eleven reflective markers for motion of calcaneal-tibial (hindfoot) and metatarsal-calcaneal (forefoot) segments.

Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) is the most common form of painful adult acquired flatfoot deformity. Most studies examining PTTD describe operative and non-operative treatment. Therefore, the effects of PTTD on gait and the progression of PTTD are not understood. The overarching goal of our research is to improve our understanding of the progression of PTTD. In 2004, we focused on quantification of the difference between healthy gait and stage II PTTD gait. In our comparison of healthy and PTTD gait, we measured forefoot and hindfoot kinematics (Fig 1), kinetics, electromyographic activity of the muscles about the ankle (i.e., posterior tibialis, gastrocnemius, tibialis anterior, peroneus brevis, and peroneus longus) and plantar foot pressures. When we compared these data to healthy volunteers, we found significant differences between healthy volunteers and patients with PTTD in all data collected. These data quantified clinical observations and allowed us to further understand the effect of PTTD on gait.