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Dynamic stability during stair negotiation after total knee arthroplasty
Dimitrios-Sokratis Komaris1, Salvatore Tedesco2, Brendan O'Flynn2
1Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, UK.
Clinical Biomechanics (Bristol, Avon)
|June 15, 2021
Summary
Total knee arthroplasty does not significantly improve dynamic stability during stair negotiation in patients with severe osteoarthritis. Stability remains comparable to asymptomatic individuals both before and after surgery.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Biomechanics
- Gerontology
Background:
- Dynamic stability assessment is vital for fall prevention in elderly and functionally impaired individuals.
- Limited evidence exists on how total knee arthroplasty (TKA) impacts balance and dynamic stability during stair negotiation in severe osteoarthritis patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate dynamic stability during stair negotiation in patients with severe knee osteoarthritis before and one year after TKA.
- To compare the stability of these patients with asymptomatic controls.
Main Methods:
- Utilized marker-based optical full-body motion capture and force platforms for assessment.
- Analyzed the extrapolated Center of Mass and Margin of Stability metrics.
- Recruited 27 patients undergoing unilateral TKA and 17 asymptomatic controls.
Main Results:
- Patients demonstrated comparable dynamic stability to controls during stair ascent and descent, both pre-operatively and one year post-operatively.
- No significant improvement in overall stability was observed one year after TKA surgery (p > .252).
Conclusions:
- Despite potential reductions in pain and fear of falling, TKA does not appear to significantly alter dynamic stability during stair walking in patients with severe knee osteoarthritis.
- Further research may be needed to explore other interventions for improving dynamic stability in this population.
