Summary- The assessment
of the effects of ground reaction force on patients is greatly assisted by the
use of video vector visualisation. This permits an immediate evaluation of the
mechanical implications of a particular gait problem, and enables clinical decisions
to be taken with a greater degree of confidence than would otherwise be the
case.
The principles of computation of ground reaction vectors and their relationship
to normal gait are described. Application of the system to the assessment of
clinical orthotic problems is illustrated by examples at all levels of lower
limb bracing.
The system is currently available at very few centres, but its commerical availability
suggests that its use will become more widespread in the future.