Information processing of the gait signals to determine the number of toe-walking steps from normal steps in Idiopathic Toe-Walking Children

Idiopathic toe-walking (ITW) is a relatively common condition worldwide in children. ITW children are diagnosed by excluding all known causes of toe-walking, including neuromuscular or orthopaedic disorders and physical injuries. As a consequence of toe-walking, ITW children tend to develop shortened calf muscles which may lead to a number of problems such as improper balance of the body caused by a slightly shifted centre of gravity. Currently, the severity of toe-walking in ITW children is evaluated from the measurement of the ankle range of passive movement (ROM) and parent´s observations. However, long term monitoring of treatment for ITW children is missing. Accelerometers have proved to be efficient and reliable compared to other devices and techniques, for analyzing the gait pattern and detection of the stance phase and can be small and unobtrusive. Gait monitoring boots fitted with dual axis accelerometer in the heel have been developed, which would serve as long term gait monitoring device for ITW children. The aim of this paper is to detect the stance phase from the acceleration signals obtained from the dual axis accelerometer for a normal gait and a toe-walking gait and then determine the percentage of toe-walking steps in the gait of ITW children.