THE PNEUMOGRAPHIC METHOD OF RECORDING GAIT

¹ The Department of Surgery, Division of Orthopaedics, Rochester University School of Medicine and Surgery.

Our problem is the analysis of gait. The method of approach is as follows:

1. The development of the physical mechanism essential for making graphic records of normal and abnormal gait. In this paper we have presented evidence which suggests that the pneumographic method may serve this purpose.

2. The classification and analysis of "normal" curves on a basis of given age, weight, and height of subjects is the next phase of our work.

3. The analysis of gait curves which result from abnormalities of known etiology in individuals of the same age, weight, and height group must then follow.

4. Our goal is the determination of the influence of treatment of known pathology as revealed by graphic records of individual gait.

The Advantages to be Gained by This Research Program

Through the development of a method for recording gait and the subsequent analysis of the curves produced, abnormalities in function of the lower extremities may be brought under the influence and control of comprehensible physical laws. Progress, under treatment, should then be determined by the same method of measurement.

Facts, instead of opinions, therefore, may in the future be used to define the prevailing limitations in function. Only through the use of analyzed curves, indicating the presence or absence of improvement, may the repeated mistakes of empiricism be eliminated from the treatment of deformities. The correction of deforming limps constitutes a large part of orthopaedic surgery. From year to year, this work has continued to be directed by opinion. This branch of surgery may be brought under the influence of physical laws only by continued encouragement of systematic efforts.

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