Inertial Sensors as a Tool for Diagnosing Discopathy Lumbosacral Pathologic Gait: A Preliminary Research

Abstract

Background: the goal of the study is to ascertain the influence of discopathy in the lumbosacral (L-S) segment on the gait parameters. The inertial sensors are used to determine the pathologic parameters of gait. Methods: the study involved four patients (44, 46, 42, and 38 years). First, the goal of the survey was to analyze by a noninvasive medical test magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of each patient. Next, by using inertial sensors, the flexion-extension of joint angles of the left and right knees were calculated. The statistical analysis was performed. The wavelet transform was applied to analyze periodic information in the acceleration data. Results: in the patients with discopathy, the amount of knee flexion attained during stance phase is significantly lower than that of normal (health side), which could indicate poor eccentric control or a pain avoidance mechanism. The biggest differences are observed in the Initial Swing phase. Bending of the lower limb in the knee joint at this stage reaches maximum values during the entire gait cycle. Conclusions: It has been difficult to quantify the knee angle during gait by visual inspection. The inertial measurement unit (IMU) system can be useful in determining the level of spine damage and its degree. In patients in the first stages of the intervertebral disc disease who may undergo conservative treatment, it may also partially delay or completely exclude the decision to perform a complicated imaging examination which is MRI, often showing a false positive result in this phase of the disease.

Lower Limb Inter-Joint Coordination of Unilateral Transfemoral Amputees: Implications for Adaptation Control

“…In addition to the inter-joint coordination, the interaction between the asymmetry and the variability can be investigated as a manifestation of gait instability [36]. Additionally, it would be interesting to know whether wearables with feedback installed on the prosthesis can improve the gait symmetry and inter-joint coordination [37][38][39].…”

“…In future studies, researchers should investigate whether muscle strengthening for enhancing the support capability and motor control training for foot placement accuracy can improve the inter-joint coordination and symmetry. Besides, the use of portable or wearable sensors, such as an inertial measurement unit (IMU), could facilitate the measurement of three-dimensional kinematics and gait asymmetry in clinical settings [39].…”

Fusion of Multiple Lidars and Inertial Sensors for the Real-Time Pose Tracking of Human Motion

“…However, IMU-based pose tracking is not mature enough to detect accurate positional data for individual joints [ 29 ] and is majorly used for motion analysis in rehabilitation and physiotherapy [ 30 , 31 ]. To counter this, a merger of IMU data with depth cameras has been attempted [ 32 , 33 , 34 ].…”

Risk Factors Associated with Low Back Pain among A Group of 1510 Pregnant Women

“…It does not only affect cardiovascular, hormonal, and urinary systems but also involves musculoskeletal problems, with a particular impact on the axial skeleton. Significant hormonal changes accompanied by an increase in body mass and a change in the size and position of the uterus contribute to the alteration of the centre of gravity and thus apply additional static and dynamic forces affecting the axial skeleton [1,2].…”