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Postoperative Gait Characteristics After Arthroscopic Ankle Arthrodesis Using a Deep Learning-Based Markerless Motion
Yoon-Chung Sophie Kim1,2, Cesar de Cesar Netto2, Youn-Ho Choi1
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, St. Vincent's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
|August 13, 2026
Summary
Arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis improved gait parameters to match healthy individuals one year post-surgery. However, some ankle motion restrictions, particularly plantarflexion, persisted after the procedure.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Biomechanics
- Sports Medicine
Background:
- Ankle arthritis significantly impacts patient mobility and quality of life.
- Open ankle arthrodesis has established gait outcomes, but arthroscopic techniques require further gait characterization.
- Advanced ankle arthritis necessitates effective surgical interventions like ankle arthrodesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate postoperative gait characteristics following arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis using markerless motion capture.
- To compare gait parameters of patients after arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis with a healthy control group.
- To evaluate clinical outcomes alongside objective gait analysis.
Main Methods:
- Pilot observational study involving seven patients undergoing arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis.
- Deep learning-based markerless motion capture for real-time gait analysis (speed, cadence, step length, stance/swing phases, ankle ROM).
- Clinical outcome assessments using validated patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs).
Main Results:
- No significant differences in spatiotemporal gait parameters between operated and control groups at 1-year follow-up.
- Preoperative ankle ROM deficits were largely resolved, with persistent plantarflexion restriction in terminal stance.
- Most clinical scores improved, but the FAAM-Sports subscale showed minimal change.
Conclusions:
- Arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis yields comparable spatiotemporal gait parameters to healthy individuals by 1 year.
- Persistent plantarflexion restriction during terminal stance warrants attention post-arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis.
- Markerless motion capture offers objective gait data but requires validation against marker-based systems.
