Z. Bejek, A. Illyés, R. Paróczai, and R.M. Kiss (Hungary)
Biomechanics, Gait analysis, osteoarthritis, knee, total knee arthroplasty (TKA)
In 20 patients with unilateral knee disease, who underwent total knee arthroplasty (TKA), the gait was analyzed preoperatively and 12 months after unilateral TKA using a zebris ultrasound-based three-dimensional motion analysis system. The constant gait speed was 2.5 km/h. The spatial-temporal and angular parameters are compared to the gait parameters of 20 elderly, healthy subjects. The aim of this study was to determine how selected gait parameters may change as a result of total knee arthoplasty at constant gait speed. Before TKA, asymmetry was observed in spatial-temporal parameters: in the range of knee motion, maximum knee flexion, and maximum knee extension. Therefore, it was suggested that the increased motion of the opposite knee was a compensatory function. As a result of development of neuromuscular protection of the knee joint, no significant differences could be detected between the hip motion of the affected and healthy sides. The study showed that increased pelvic motion (obliquity, rotation and flexion extension) occurred as compensation. At 12 months after TKA, asymmetry of spatial-temporal parameters and of knee and hip joint motion could not be observed, the increased pelvic motion also became less significant. Therefore, this study suggested that TKA could reverse the adverse influence on other joints prior to the symmetrical normalization of knee motion.
Important Links:
Go Back
