Gait and functional status analysis before and after total knee arthroplasty

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Biomedical Engineering
• Rehabilitation Science

Background:

• Severe gonarthrosis treatment often involves total knee arthroplasty (TKA).
• While TKA improves patient satisfaction and function, gait recovery is frequently incomplete.
• Understanding long-term gait disturbances post-TKA is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess TKA and physiotherapy's impact on gait parameters.
• To evaluate changes in patient-reported functional status.
• To explore the relationship between gait features and functional outcomes.

Main Methods:

• GAITRite system analyzed walking speed, step length, and single support time.
• 21 TKA patients and 60 controls were assessed pre- and post-surgery, and post-rehabilitation.
• Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) measured functional status.

Main Results:

• TKA patients walked slower than controls at all time points, with continuous speed improvement post-surgery.
• Gait asymmetries in single support time and step length were noted.
• Partial gait restoration occurred by 12 weeks post-surgery and rehabilitation completion.

Conclusions:

• TKA patients showed improved self-reported function and reduced gait abnormalities, likely due to pain reduction.
• Step length asymmetry persisted at 15 weeks post-surgery.
• This asymmetry may stem from early postoperative gait habits, such as using crutches.