The current issue of Gait and Posture reports on joint stiffness and gait patterns of 98 children (mean age 11.7 years old) with Down's Syndrome.  The children with Down's Syndrome exhibited the following gait patterns: increased hip flexion, knee flexion in stance phase, decreased knee range of motion and plantar flexion at initial contact and limited ankle power.  Hip joint stiffness was increased in the group of children with Down's Syndrome.

Reference:  Manuela Galli, Chiara Rigoldi, Reinald Brunner^b, Naznin Virji-Babul and Albertini Giorgio (2008) Joint stiffness and gait pattern evaluation in children with Down syndrome.  Gait & Posture

Volume 28, Issue 3, October 2008, Pages 502-506. doi:10.1016/j.gaitpost.2008.03.001    

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