Tackling the complexities of gait disorders in children
St. Xavier’s Gait Lab
Situated in the vibrant heart of Mumbai, India, the St. Xavier’s Gait Lab is an esteemed research center dedicated to gait analysis. It owes its establishment to the visionary Dr. Atul Bhaskar, an eminent orthopedic surgeon, who partnered with St. Xavier’s Institute of Engineering (XIE) to delve into the kinematic movements of children affected by cerebral palsy.
This collaborative endeavor between XIE and Marquette University’s Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Engineering Centre (OREC) from the United States showcases the global impact of their collective expertise.
“The collaborative work between the OREC at Marquette University and the XIE Gait Lab has been strongly supported through the use of the Qualisys motion analysis system.”
Dr. Gerald Harris, OREC Marquette University
The lab is equipped with a Qualisys motion capture system, including 10 Miqus M3 cameras and 2 Miqus Video cameras. The lab space is thoughtfully designed to cater to various needs, including areas for patient examination, camera setups, and computer systems for data analysis. Its primary purpose is to facilitate gait analysis, ensuring precise measurements through a controlled environment with proper lighting and equipment placement.
A visit to the gait lab provides individuals with a comprehensive assessment of their walking patterns and movement mechanics. The process begins with an initial examination conducted by a team of multidisciplinary medical professionals and engineers specializing in gait analysis.
This examination allows for a thorough understanding of the individual’s medical history, current condition, and any specific concerns or symptoms they may have.
During assessment, adhesive-backed markers are placed strategically on the individual’s trunk, legs, and feet. These markers serve as reference points for as cameras record individual’s walking motion, accurately tracking the position of the markers and capturing joint movements like the hip, knee, and ankle.
TM records the motion data which is transformed into detailed graphical representations, offering valuable insights into the kinematics and kinetics of an individual’s gait pattern. These comprehensive reports provide orthopedic surgeons with invaluable information to make informed decisions about surgical procedures or recommend appropriate non-surgical interventions.
The biomechanics data generated can help in decision-making for a variety of orthopedic conditions. By examining joint angles, forces, and timings, the analysis helps identify any deviations or abnormalities in gait patterns.
“Qualisys technical support has been excellent and has allowed our teams to provide accurate and reliable motion analysis results which are used for clinical pre-treatment planning, surgical planning, post-operative follow-up and clinical research.”
Dr. Gerald Harris, OREC Marquette University
A multidisciplinary team of specialists, comprised of orthopedic surgeons and biomechanical engineers, meticulously analyze the data and interpret their findings, taking into account factors such as symmetry, alignment, and overall movement quality. The comprehensive reports provide orthopedic surgeons with invaluable information to make informed decisions about surgical procedures or recommend appropriate non-surgical interventions.
Gait analysis conducted in the lab is a painless and efficient process, usually taking about 90 minutes. It offers valuable insights for individuals and healthcare professionals, deepening the understanding of walking mechanics and factors contributing to gait issues. Personalized treatment plans are created such as surgical intervention, muscle stretching, or other therapies to enhance mobility, reduce pain, and optimize walking function.
“The scholastic and expert support of the Qualisys team has been our main stimulus to further delve into the complexities of gait disorders in children.”
Dr. Atul Bhaskar
"The motion capture system has been a great supplementary tool in the treatment of children with Cerebral Palsy. It has been a great experience with Qualisys for the past decade in terms of technical and academic support."
Dr. Chasanal Rathod
"It has been a great experience using the Qualisys system in motion analysis at XIE due to its versatility and ease of use. The biomechanics data generated can help in decision-making for a variety of orthopedic conditions."
Dr. Mayuri Gad
"The motion capture system allows us to assess gait in various conditions that impact children and adults by providing precise details of specific variables that we would otherwise not analyze."
Fr. Dr. John Rose Santiago, S.J, PhD
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Members of the Team
Fr. Dr. John Rose Santiago, S.J, PhD
Director, St. Xavier’s Gait Lab
Xavier Institute of Engineering
Mahim, Mumbai
Dr. Mayuri Gad
BPT. MSc Exercise and Sport Science
Biomechanist
St. Xavier’s Gait Lab
Dr. Atul Bhaskar
FRCS Orth, FRCS, M.S, DNB, MCh Orth
Pediatric Orthopedic Fellowship (Sickkids – Toronto)
Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon
Consultant for Motion Analysis Lab
Jigna Waghela
Degree in Commerce
Lab Technician
Dr. Chasanal Rathod
MBBS, MS (Orthopedics)
Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon
Consultant for Motion Analysis Lab
Fr. Dr. John Rose Santiago, S.J, PhD
Director, St. Xavier’s Gait Lab
Xavier Institute of Engineering
Mahim, Mumbai
Dr. Mayuri Gad
BPT. MSc Exercise and Sport Science
Biomechanist
St. Xavier’s Gait Lab
Dr. Atul Bhaskar
FRCS Orth, FRCS, M.S, DNB, MCh Orth
Pediatric Orthopedic Fellowship (Sickkids – Toronto)
Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon
Consultant for Motion Analysis Lab
Jigna Waghela
Degree in Commerce
Lab Technician
Dr. Chasanal Rathod
MBBS, MS (Orthopedics)
Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon
Consultant for Motion Analysis Lab
International Team
Dr. Gerald Harris
PhD, P.E Technical Advisor Professor
Biomedical Engineering Director,
OREC Marquette University,
Milwaukee, Wisconsin USA
Dr. Jacob Rammer, PhD
Research Assistant Professor Gait Lab
OREC, Marquette University
Milwaukee, Wisconsin USA
Molly Erickson
Research Engineer
Marquette University
Milwaukee, Wisconsin USA
Dr. Gerald Harris
PhD, P.E Technical Advisor Professor
Biomedical Engineering Director,
OREC Marquette University,
Milwaukee, Wisconsin USA
Dr. Jacob Rammer, PhD
Research Assistant Professor Gait Lab
OREC, Marquette University
Milwaukee, Wisconsin USA
Molly Erickson
Research Engineer
Marquette University
Milwaukee, Wisconsin USA
Projects of the St. Xavier’s Gait Lab
The Gait Lab consistently engages in various events, promotions, and additional work to further its mission of advancing gait analysis research and serving the community. Here are some examples:
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- Workshops and Seminars: The Gait Lab organizes workshops and seminars to educate and train healthcare professionals, researchers, and students in the field of gait analysis. These events provide a platform to share knowledge, exchange ideas, and discuss the latest advancements in the field. Topics covered may include gait assessment techniques, data analysis methods, and emerging technologies in gait analysis.
- Collaborative Research Projects: The Gait Lab actively collaborates with other institutions nationally and internationally to undertake research projects focused on gait analysis and related areas. These collaborations enable sharing expertise, resources, and data, leading to comprehensive and impactful research outcomes. Such projects contribute to the scientific understanding of gait abnormalities, treatment effectiveness, and innovative approaches for rehabilitation.
- Community Outreach Programs: The Gait Lab is committed to serving the community, particularly individuals affected by gait-related conditions. It may organize community outreach programs where individuals can access gait analysis services, receive expert consultations, and gain insights into managing their conditions. These initiatives aim to raise awareness, provide support, and improve the quality of life for those impacted by gait abnormalities.
- Promotional Campaigns: The Gait Lab may launch promotional campaigns to create awareness about the importance of gait analysis and its benefits. These campaigns may involve collaborations with healthcare organizations, social media influencers, and community leaders to spread the message to a wider audience. By highlighting the positive impact of gait analysis on diagnosis, treatment planning, and overall mobility, these campaigns aim to encourage individuals to seek appropriate gait analysis services.
- Continuing Education Programs: To ensure that healthcare professionals stay updated with the latest advancements in gait analysis, the Gait Lab may offer continuing education programs. These programs include lectures, workshops, and online courses that provide in-depth knowledge about gait assessment techniques, interpretation of gait data, and integration of gait analysis into clinical practice. By empowering healthcare professionals with the necessary skills and expertise, the Gait Lab contributes to improving gait analysis practices.
- Research Publications and Presentations: The Gait Lab actively publishes research papers in scientific journals and presents findings at conferences and symposiums. The lab contributes to the scientific community’s understanding of gait analysis and its clinical applications by disseminating its research. These publications and presentations also help raise the lab’s profile and establish it as a leader in the field of gait analysis research.
Published article:
Bhaskar AR, Gad MV, Rathod CM. Impact of COVID Pandemic on the Children with Cerebral Palsy. Indian J Orthop. 2022 Jan 18;56(5):927-932. doi: 10.1007/s43465-021-00591-3. PMID: 35068545; PMCID: PMC8764506.