Knee position feedback: its effect on management of pelvic instability in a stroke patient

Purpose : This is a case study of improvement in pelvic instability due to a stroke, with treatment. The patient had narrow knee-to-knee distance due to weakness in the pelvic muscles resulting in a narrow base of support. Method : Treatment was focused on pre-gait activities to improve upright posture control followed by gait training involving extrinsic auditory feedback about knee-to-knee distance. Results : After two weeks of therapy with feedback technique incorporated in a functional context of gait therapy, the patient was able to advance his left lower extremity with proper foot placement. Laboratory measurements showed that step width and stride length gotten better after treatment as well. Conclusion : An inclusion of feedback information about knee-to-knee distance could benefit gait training of patients with pelvic instability.