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Video-based Gait Analysis for Functional Evaluation of Healing Achilles Tendon in Rats

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Abstract

Video-based walking track systems have been developed for gait analysis in rat models. However, there is no previous study using video-based tracking systems to address the gait parameters to evaluate the recovery of Achilles tendon rupture models. This study conducted a comprehensive gait analysis using a video-based image processing system. Eighteen Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to one of three interventional conditions: sham surgery, Achilles tendon repair, and Achilles tendon defect. After surgery, all animals were evaluated using a video-based walking track system. The gait parameters and the Achilles functional index (AFI) were further analyzed. The ankle joint angles of the injury side at mid-stance and pre-swing were highly correlated with the AFI. However, lack of sensitivity was found for the AFI. Increased measurement sensitivity of the Achilles tendon healing condition was found in the ankle joint angle of the involved side at the pre-swing and the level of asymmetry of the hindlimb joint position and stance/swing time. The overall sensitivity of the ankle motion analysis was significantly higher than that of AFI. We conclude that the ankle motion analysis is a reliable, reproducible, and sensitive tool for Achilles tendon analysis in rats.

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Abbreviations

AFI:

Achilles functional index

PL/NPL/EPL:

PL: print length; N: control side; E: experimental side

TS/NTS/ETS:

TS: toe-spread length; N: control side; E: experimental side

IT/NIT/EIT:

IT: intermediary toe-spread length; N: control side; E: experimental side

PLF:

Print length factor

TSF:

Toe-spread factor

ITF:

Intermediary toe-spread factor

AI:

Asymmetry index

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful for the financial support from China Medical University Beigang Hospital, Taiwan.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, No. 1, University Road, Tainan, 701, Taiwan

    Jen-I Liang, Meng-Yi Chen, Tsung-Hsun Hsieh, Chih-Yu Liu, Jia-Jin Jason Chen & Ming-Long Yeh

  2. Department of Orthopedics, China Medical University Beigang Hospital, Yun-Lin, Taiwan

    Meng-Yi Chen

  3. Department of Anesthesiology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan

    Chen-Fuh Lam

  4. Medical Device Innovation Center, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan

    Ming-Long Yeh

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  1. Jen-I Liang
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Correspondence to Ming-Long Yeh.

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Associate Editor Thurmon E. Lockhart oversaw the review of this article.

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Liang, JI., Chen, MY., Hsieh, TH. et al. Video-based Gait Analysis for Functional Evaluation of Healing Achilles Tendon in Rats. Ann Biomed Eng 40, 2532–2540 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-012-0619-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-012-0619-z

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