ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the correlation between gait parameters at 14 days and knee function and quality of life at 3 months after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods Eighteen patients who underwent TKA were analyzed by using three-dimensional gait analysis system to observe their gait parameters. Knee joint function and life quality of the patients at 3 months after TKA were evaluated with WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index) and SF-36 (short form 36-item health survey scores) assessment scale and their correlations were analyzed simultaneously. Results At 14 days after TKA, single support time (SST) and peak knee flexion at swing (PKF) of the operated side of the leg were significantly smaller than those of the healthy side of the leg. The knee flexion angle at mid-stance (MKF) and knee valgus angle at mid-stance (MKV) of the operated side of the leg were significantly larger than those of the healthy side of the leg. There was a moderate negative correlation between the spatiotemporal parameters of the operated side of the leg and the WOMAC score during gait, while a high correlation between the WOMAC score and peak knee flexion at swing (PKF), MKF and MKV. Except for the step length and forward velocity, the other gait parameters were significantly correlated with SF-36 life quality score. The single support time (SST) and PKF had a highly positive correlation, while the MKF and MKV had a moderate negative correlation with SF-36 life quality score. Conclusions The SST, MKF, MKV and PKF in postoperative early gait analysis (14 days) results can be used as the effective indicators to judge postoperative knee function and rehabilitation efficacy of life quality after TKA surgery.