Gait analysis in hip and knee surgery.

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Objective gait analysis is crucial for evaluating locomotor function after surgical interventions.
• Traditional gait assessment methods can be subjective and lack precision.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a reliable and reproducible objective gait analysis system.
• To correlate objective gait parameters with clinical findings in patients undergoing orthopedic procedures.
• To assess the utility of gait analysis in evaluating outcomes of total hip replacement (THR).

Main Methods:

• Utilized a computerized system with two five-meter force plates for multi-step gait registration.
• Recorded gait variables including temporal-distance parameters, ground reaction forces, and sagittal hip/knee movements.
• Applied the method to analyze patients post-pelvic resection, total hip replacement (THR), and total knee replacement (TKR).

Main Results:

• Maximal vertical force and average velocity were the most sensitive gait variables for detecting changes in ambulatory status.
• These two variables were also effective in differentiating between cemented and non-cemented THR methods.
• Strong correlations were observed between objective gait measurements (maximal vertical force, average velocity) and clinical assessments.

Conclusions:

• The developed objective gait analysis system demonstrates high reliability and reproducibility.
• Gait analysis, particularly focusing on maximal vertical force and average velocity, is a valuable tool for assessing locomotor function post-surgery.
• This method aids in evaluating surgical outcomes and comparing different treatment modalities like cemented versus non-cemented THR.