Bilateral gait patterns in subjects fitted with a total hip prosthesis

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Gait Analysis

Background:

• Total hip replacement (THR) is a common procedure for hip arthritis.
• Understanding the biomechanical consequences of THR on gait is crucial for patient rehabilitation.
• Gait analysis provides insights into muscle function and energy development during locomotion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare muscle powers and mechanical energies during gait push-off between patients with THR and able-bodied individuals.
• To investigate the effect of THR on the non-operated limb's biomechanics.
• To assess the impact of THR on knee joint energy development.

Main Methods:

• Case-control study involving four patients with Harris-Galante total hip prostheses and an able-bodied control group.
• Gait analysis was performed to measure muscle powers and mechanical energies during the push-off phase.
• Patients were independent and functional, with surgery indicated for degenerative arthritis.

Main Results:

• Operated hips showed decreased energy development (35% sagittal, 48% frontal) and power absorption in the frontal plane.
• The non-operated hip developed more sagittal plane energy than the operated limb but less than controls (35% more, 20% less, respectively).
• Knee joint energy development was reduced by 47% in the THR group.

Conclusions:

• Total hip replacement leads to significant alterations in gait biomechanics, affecting both the operated and contralateral limbs.
• Mechanical dysfunction is present in the non-operated limb following total hip replacement.
• Gait analysis reveals widespread effects of THR beyond the surgical site, impacting overall limb function.