Bilateral differences in gait mechanics following total ankle replacement: a two year longitudinal study

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Biomechanics
• Gait Analysis

Background:

• Total ankle replacement (TAR) is performed to improve patient mobility.
• Assessing gait symmetry post-TAR is crucial for understanding functional recovery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate changes in gait symmetry in patients following total ankle replacement (TAR).
• To compare gait parameters from pre-operation up to two years after TAR.

Main Methods:

• Seventy-eight patients undergoing primary TAR without contralateral pain were analyzed.
• Three-dimensional joint mechanics and ground reaction forces were collected pre-operatively and at 1 and 2 years post-operatively.
• Repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyze differences in gait parameters over time and between limbs.

Main Results:

• Walking speed significantly improved from pre-operation to 2 years post-TAR.
• Improvements were observed in peak plantar flexion moment, stance time, and step time on the surgical side by 1 year.
• Step and stride length increased across all time points, while weight acceptance and propulsion forces improved by 1 year post-surgery.

Conclusions:

• Patients demonstrate faster walking speeds and improved gait symmetry after TAR.
• Despite improvements, gait symmetry does not fully normalize by two years post-TAR.