Age-related changes in physical examination and gait parameters in normally developing children and adolescents

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the correlations between physical examinations and gait kinematics, and age-related changes in 47 normally developing children. Physical examinations were not found to be significantly correlated with kinematics, except for Thomas and Staheli tests. Unilateral and bilateral popliteal angles decreased significantly by 2.2 and 1.6° per annum, and ankle dorsiflexion with knee extension and 90° flexion decreased significantly by 0.7 and 0.8°. Physical examinations and gait parameters might represent different dimensions of gait, and care should be taken when assessing gait problems. Age-related changes should be considered when interpreting physical examination and gait kinematics for surgery.

Normative reference values for lower limb joint range, bone torsion, and alignment in children aged 4–16 years

“…This approach is a modification of the original Thomas test, which does not allow hip extension beyond a neutral position [22,23,31]. Our results for hip extension using the modified Thomas test, ensuring a standardized pelvic position with the ASIS aligned over the PSIS, are comparable with the findings of Kilgour et al [1] and Lee et al [16], who reported means of 151 (SD 61) and 11.11 (SD 3.71) using the Staheli test [45] across similar age groups. Our results for hip extension using the modified Thomas test, ensuring a standardized pelvic position with the ASIS aligned over the PSIS, are comparable with the findings of Kilgour et al [1] and Lee et al [16], who reported means of 151 (SD 61) and 11.11 (SD 3.71) using the Staheli test [45] across similar age groups.…”

“…As noted in the recent studies of Sankar et al [20] and Lee et al [16], ROM was related to age, with a significant reduction in range observed in the older age groups for most measures (Fig. As noted in the recent studies of Sankar et al [20] and Lee et al [16], ROM was related to age, with a significant reduction in range observed in the older age groups for most measures (Fig.…”

“…The changes in bone torsion and alignment of the lower limb that occur with aging have been well documented in several large studies [6][7][8][9][10][11]; however, reference data on measurements of passive joint ROM are difficult to locate. Studies that have examined these parameters tend to focus only on a select group of measurements [12][13][14][15][16] or restrict the age range [14,15,17,18] or sex [18,19]. Further, published norms frequently use differing measurement techniques, making comparison difficult.…”

Normative Values of Physical Examinations Commonly Used for Cerebral Palsy

“…Previous studies have demonstrated that the popliteal angle is increased in children and adolescents. 5 18 The age of the cohorts in these previous studies ranged from 1−5 years. The unilateral popliteal angle with lordosis and an anteriorly tilted pelvis is a measure of functional hamstring contracture, and the bilateral popliteal angle with a loss of lordosis and neutral pelvis is a measure of the true hamstring contracture ( Fig.…”

“…It has been reported that the popliteal angle tends to increase with age in younger populations. 18 However, there are few such studies including both adolescents and adults.…”