Gait Analysis: An Introduction.

Gait Analysis: An introduction Whittle MW. Stoneham, MA 02180, Butterworth-Heinemann, 1991, paperback, 230 pp, $32.95.

The author purposefully points out that this textbook is an introduction to the topic of gait analysis for use by bioengineers, students of physical therapy, and professionals of other branches of medicine who have minimal preparation in this area. The first three chapters are indeed elementary and might cause one to be inclined to put the book aside. The last two chapters, however, provide ample justification for continued reading. The textbook is divided into five chapters. Chapter 1 is devoted to the basic sciences. It is intended to give the reader the minimum required base knowledge to understand gait analysis. Anatomic terms, planes of the body, and descriptive terms for motion are presented. Bones are covered superficially; the chapter has seemingly been written for students who have never studied anatomy. This is substantiated by the complete dismissal of the subtalar joint and the statement that it is impossible to distinguish between movement at the ankle and the subtalar joint. Muscles and tendons are also briefly mentioned but unfortunately are frequently confused. This chapter also presents physiology of the nervous system and concludes with biomechanics. Chapter 2 reviews normal gait and addresses the kinematics and kinetics of the hip, knee, foot, and ankle in the various phases of stance and swing. This material is a summary of the Inman, Perry, Mann material published several years ago. Chapter 3 reviews pathological gait and causes. Gait deviations such as "lateral trunk bending," "anterior/posterior trunk bending," and others are explained. The author acknowledges that the material is based on the New York University prosthetic/orthotic lecture notes presented to student orthotists. Chapter 4 examines methods of quantification for gait deviations, beginning with visual analysis and progressing to direct motion measurement systems and use of electrogoniometers, including electromyography. It is at this point that the textbook becomes interesting. This chapter is well written, informative, and quite appropriate for afl professionals involved in gait analysis. The final chapter addresses applications of gait analysis. Following a conclusion page, the author provides some very interesting appendixes, including some addresses of suppliers of gait analysis equipment. After a slow start, the textbook definitely improves. Even though the book is intentionally almost devoid of references, the last two chapters provide sufficient reason for purchasing this textbook.

Clifton S Mereday, PhD, PT Hauppauge, NY