Assessment of Spatiotemporal Gait Parameters in Patients with non-specific Chronic Low Back Pain with and without pronated feet.

Interaction between the foot pronation and gait pattern has been emphasized by researchers; but this effect has not been well understood in patients with low back pain (LBP). Therefor This study investigated the characteristics of spatiotemporal gait factors patients with chronic Low back pain with and without pronated feet.

Among low back pain (LBP) patients of 25 to 35 years old, 10 patients with normal foot, and another 10 patients with pronated foot were selected as experimental groups. Also 10 healthy individuals of the same age group were selected as control group. Spatiotemporal parameters of gait were analyzed using Vicon motion analysis system during barefoot walking with self-selected speed.

Both experimental groups had less walking speed than control group. Stride and step length in LBP with normal foot were smaller than the other groups (p˂0.05). Double support phase time of LBP with normal foot was longer than control group (p˂0.05). Stride width and stride time was greater in LBP with pronated foot than control group (p˂0.05).

LBP is associated with decreased walking speed. In LBP patients with pronated feet the stride was wider and slower than in control group. However, the walking speed and stride and step length were affected only in LBP patients with pronated foot. It is better that the training and rehabilitation programs of LBP patients should be optimized based on the foot structure.