Thornton, Matthew James;
(2022)
Development of an Innovative Biomechanical Model for Clinical Gait Analysis.
Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London).
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Abstract
Work contained in this thesis describes a new biomechanical model for clinical gait analysis. Identified problems with current models are related to the subjective reasonableness of their underlying modelling assumptions and used to guide development of a new model. Gait scores were developed to evaluate alternative modelling solutions in terms of cycle average position, range, inter-cycle variability and movement pattern. An overly simple pro-forma model was developed to facilitate evaluation of the effects of complexity from alternative modelling approaches, both existing and newly developed. A clinical interpretation of Euler angles, widely used to describe joint orientations and movements, is presented. Leading directly from this interpretation, simple, joint-specific rules are derived that ensure calculated angles match clinical terminology. Other identified concerns are tackled on a per body-segment basis, with each segment presenting a different challenge. Identified problems with current trunk models were related to difficulties of orientating and tracking movement of the whole based on a selected sub-region. This was solved via the development of a more holistic solution, which additionally reduces the need for patient upper body exposure. For the pelvis and thigh segments, excessive soft tissue cover was identified as the major issue and resolved by the amalgamation of published methods with the novel introduction of fixed length thigh segments and a bespoke axial alignment calibration procedure. Foot model accuracy was improved by the application of bespoke calibration(s) that relates a defining flat foot posture to the position of surface markers, thus reducing the requirement for accurate placement over bony landmarks. Existing multi-segment foot models were grouped by a novel complexity index. Analysis of each group revealed an optimal balance with hind, medial forefoot, and lateral forefoot divisions. A model with this configuration was developed and outputs related to existing clinical terminology describing the foot shape.
| Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Qualification: | Ph.D |
| Title: | Development of an Innovative Biomechanical Model for Clinical Gait Analysis |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | Copyright © The Author 2023. Original content in this thesis is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) Licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/). Any third-party copyright material present remains the property of its respective owner(s) and is licensed under its existing terms. Access may initially be restricted at the author’s request. |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Medical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Medical Sciences > Div of Surgery and Interventional Sci |
| URI: | https://discovery-pp.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10162564 |
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