[Gait analysis after total knee arthroplasty assisted by three-dimensional printing navigation template]

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Biomedical Engineering
• Gait Analysis

Background:

• Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) aims to restore function in patients with severe knee osteoarthritis.
• Traditional TKA methods may face challenges in achieving optimal limb alignment and patient outcomes.
• Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology offers potential for enhanced surgical navigation and precision.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the gait trajectory characteristics of patients following TKA utilizing a 3D printing navigation template.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of 3D printing assisted TKA in pain reduction and deformity correction.
• To compare early postoperative gait parameters between TKA patients and healthy individuals.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 20 female patients undergoing TKA with a 3D printing navigation template was compared to 20 healthy female volunteers.
• Preoperative and postoperative clinical outcomes (HKA, WOMAC, VAS) were assessed.
• Gait analysis was performed using a Vicon capture system at 6 months post-surgery, measuring parameters like velocity, cadence, stride length, and joint angles.

Main Results:

• TKA patients showed significant improvements in WOMAC and VAS scores post-surgery.
• The 3D printing navigation template effectively corrected varus deformity and restored neutral lower limb alignment.
• Significant differences in all measured gait kinematics parameters were observed between the TKA group and the control group at 6 months post-operation.

Conclusions:

• 3D printing navigation template-assisted TKA demonstrates early effectiveness in alleviating pain and correcting deformities.
• Postoperative gait in TKA patients is characterized by decreased velocity, cadence, and stride length.
• Patients exhibit increased compensatory hip and ankle rotation ranges in the early postoperative period compared to healthy controls.