Immediate effects of an ankle assist device on gait recovery after total hip arthroplasty

[Purpose] We investigated the immediate effects of an ankle-assist device (AAD) on gait speed, stride length, and cadence at postoperative weeks 1 and 2 following total hip arthroplasty. [Participants and Methods] Participants undergoing unilateral total hip arthroplasty were assigned to an AAD-assisted rehabilitation group or a conventional physiotherapy group. Gait speed, stride length, and cadence were measured immediately before and after rehabilitation sessions at postoperative weeks 1 and 2. Immediate effects were calculated as post minus pre changes. [Results] At postoperative week 2, the AAD group showed a significantly greater improvement in gait speed than the control group. Small improvements in stride length and cadence were also observed in the AAD group. [Conclusion] AAD-assisted rehabilitation may enhance immediate gait performance at postoperative week 2 after total hip arthroplasty, however, these findings should be interpreted as preliminary.