Posture Influences Ground Reaction Force: Implications for Crouch Gait

Crouch gait, a common condition among children with cerebral palsy, decreases walking efficiency due to the increased knee and hip flexion during the stance phase of gait [1]. Excessive knee flexion during walking deteriorates joints and leads to chronic knee pain [2], and if untreated, these symptoms can worsen over time [3]. Several factors have been linked with crouch gait, including muscle weakness, spasticity, tightness, and decreased motor control [4]. Despite being studied for decades, a cause and effect relationship between these factors and crouch gait remains unknown, due to the complexity of the musculoskeletal system [4].