Using the gait laboratory for the investigation of orthopaedic clinical problems in children

Aim of the study: We point out multiple applications of a gait laboratory in solving different problems in the children's orthopaedic field. With typical examples we show how biometrical data of the gait laboratory can be helpful to solve problems in orthopaedic examinations. Material and method: The range of questions to be solved in the gait laboratory differs from individual diagnostic examinations of a patient up to the control of devices in the functional use at the patient. As a typical example for the individual examination we show the gait analysis in a 14-year-old girl with idiopathic chondrolysis of the hip joint. The functional use of orthopaedic devices will be shown in youths with neuroorthopaedic diseases. As a very special question to the gait lab we describe the supply of children and youths with optimal sport shoes for running. Results: The biometrical measurement techniques generate exact data to solve individual diagnostic and therapeutic questions. Orthopaedic devices can be tested in their functional efficiency and quality. Special questions can be answered very flexible. Conclusion: Diagnosis and therapy in orthopaedics and children's orthopaedics rely on exact data. However, details of the dynamics during movement are neither visible to the most experienced orthopaedic surgeon nor can they be documented by conventional diagnostic imaging procedures. The present technical potential of biometric assessment methods allow to precise and correct some empirical knowledge, they open a wide field of new applications in diagnostic and therapeutic examinations.