Gait Analysis in Degenerative Arthritis of the Knee at Pre- and Post-Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA)

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate changes of the gait pattern and the clinical improvement in patients with degenerative arthritis of the knee after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHOD: Gait analysis was performed in 64 patients with degenerative arthritis of the knee at pre- and post-surgery 1 year, also Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee score and Visual analogue scale (VAS) for clinical assessment were investigated. RESULTS: 1) In the HSS knee score and VAS, there were statistically significant improvement after surgery (p<0.05). 2) In the postoperative gait analysis, all the linear parameters except single limb support period were significantly improved (p<0.05). Single limb support period was improved, but statistically insignificant. All the kinematic and kinetic parameters also were significantly improved (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that gait analysis can be used for quantitative evaluation of the effects of total knee arthroplasty in patients with degenerative arthritis of the knee.