Exploration of Gait Biomechanics and Muscle Pain of the Lower Extremity

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Hypertonic saline injection: Injection with hypertonic saline (7%)

Isotonic saline injection: Injection with isotonic saline (0.9%)

Study summary

This interventional study aims to test gait biomechanics in healthy individuals with and without experimental muscle pain in the lower extremities. The study aims to:

A) Examine how experimental muscle pain in different types of muscles (ankle plantar-flexion, knee extension, and flexion muscles) affects kinematics, kinetics, and muscle activation

Participants will receive six muscle injections: a) Hypertonic saline (painful condition) and b) Isotonic saline (control condition) in 1) m. gastrocnemius, 2) m. semitendinosus, and 3) m. biceps femoris.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Infrared marker XYZ coordinates — Baseline.
  Marker-based motion capture with infrared cameras will be used to estimate placement of reflective markers in the XYZ planes measured in millimeters. Reflective markers will be placed from head-to-toe on anatomical landmarks.
• Pain intensity (NRS 0-10) — Baseline.
  Pain during intervention is measured continuously every 30 seconds on a numeric rating scale from 0 'no pain' to 10 'the worst pain imaginable'

Trial sites (1)