Isokinetic dynamometry and gait analysis reveal different hip joint status in patients with hip dysplasia.

BACKGROUND:: Objective assessment of hip dysplasia patients' functional hip joint status routinely involves gait analysis or isokinetic dynamometry. However, these methods have shown equivocal results and have not been employed in the same groups of patients and controls. PURPOSE:: To assess hip flexor and abductor moments by isokinetic dynamometry in the dysplasia patient and controls, for which we previously reported smaller flexor and slightly larger abductor moments during gait in patients compared to controls. METHODS:: The study was designed as a prospective cohort study (Level of Evidence II) and conducted in a biomechanics laboratory at Aarhus University, Denmark, during 2011. Participants comprised 32 dysplasia patients and 32 age and gender matched controls. Outcome measures were static peak hip flexion moment at 15, 45 and 75° hip flexion; dynamic eccentric and concentric peak hip flexion moment at 60° and 120°/second; dynamic eccentric and concentric hip abductor moment at 30° and 60°/second. RESULTS:: Hip dysplasia patients had smaller eccentric peak flexion moments and smaller eccentric and concentric peak abduction moments at all tested velocities. CONCLUSION:: Although dysplasia patients have weaker hip flexion and abductor muscles than controls, their abductor muscles are sufficiently strong to ensure normal function during gait. Hence, gait analysis alone might not reveal the true, subnormal hip joint status in dysplasia patients. We suggest that comprehensive assessment of hip joint function in dysplasia patients should include more strenuous activities than gait, particularly in young(er) patients who are likely to prefer a more active lifestyle.

Quantifying Gait Quality in Patients with Large-Head and Conventional Total Hip Arthroplasty--A Prospective Cohort Study.

We used the Gait Deviation Index (GDI) as method to compare preoperative to postoperative gait changes after uncemented 50 mm (median) large-head and 28/32 mm total hip arthroplasty (THA). We also identified predictors of improvements in GDI. Gait analysis and patient-reported (WOMAC) data were recorded in 35 patients before, 2 and 6-months after treatment. Twenty age-matched adults provided normative gait data. Contrary to our hypothesis, patients who received large-head THA had less improvement in GDI compared with patients who received 28/32 mm THA. The preoperative GDI score was identified as a predictor of postoperative GDI improvement, while WOMAC, age, gender and walking speed were not. This study provides useful information for clinicians and rehabilitation specialists about gait improvement that can be expected after THA.

The use of the Gait Deviation Index for the evaluation of participants following total hip arthroplasty: An explorative randomized trial.

INTRODUCTION: In this paper, the Gait Deviation Index (GDI) was used as a convenient method to evaluate pre-to-postoperative gait pattern changes after total hip arthroplasty and identify factors which might be predictive of outcome. DESIGN: Three-dimensional gait data from a randomized clinical trial was used to determine changes in gait quality in participants walking at self-selected speed. Upon completion of the first assessment, the participants were randomly assigned to either resurfacing hip arthroplasty or conventional hip arthroplasty. The outcome was changes in overall gait 'quality' measured with GDI during the 6-month post-surgery follow-up period. RESULTS: 38 participants with severe unilateral primary hip osteoarthritis took part in the trial. We found no difference in change scores between the two treatment groups; 1.9 [95%CI: -0.3 to 4.0] or between change scores for the non-operated and the operated limbs; 0.3 [95%CI: -2.3 to 1.7]. However, the score for the two groups (pooled data) improved after surgery by 4.4 [95%CI: 1.8-7.0]. The single level regression analysis identified the preoperative GDI score as a strong predictor of outcome (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Six months after surgery, there was no additional effect of resurfacing hip arthroplasty on GDI scores compared with conventional hip arthroplasty. Participants with the most pathological preoperative gait pattern improved the most. The GDI increased, which indicates an overall improvement in gait pathology after surgery. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01229293.

Joint kinematics and kinetics during walking and running in 32 patients with hip dysplasia 1 year after periacetabular osteotomy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Hip dysplasia can be treated with periacetabular osteotomy (PAO). We compared joint angles and joint moments during walking and running in young adults with hip dysplasia prior to and 6 and 12 months after PAO with those in healthy controls. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Joint kinematics and kinetics were recorded using a 3-D motion capture system. The pre- and postoperative gait characteristics quantified as the peak hip extension angle and the peak joint moment of hip flexion were compared in 23 patients with hip dysplasia (18-53 years old). Similarly, the gait patterns of the patients were compared with those of 32 controls (18-54 years old). RESULTS: During walking, the peak hip extension angle and the peak hip flexion moment were significantly smaller at baseline in the patients than in the healthy controls. The peak hip flexion moment increased 6 and 12 months after PAO relative to baseline during walking, and 6 months after PAO relative to baseline during running. For running, the improvement did not reach statistical significance at 12 months. In addition, the peak hip extension angle during walking increased 12 months after PAO, though not statistically significantly. There were no statistically significant differences in peak hip extension angle and peak hip flexion moment between the patients and the healthy controls after 12 months. INTERPRETATION: Walking and running characteristics improved after PAO in patients with symptomatic hip dysplasia, although gait modifications were still present 12 months postoperatively.

Changes in walking and running in patients with hip dysplasia.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Earlier studies have suggested that the hip extension angle and the hip flexor moment in walking are affected by hip dysplasia, but to our knowledge there have been no reports on running or evaluations of self-reported health. We evaluated differences in walking, running, and self-reported health between young adults with symptomatic hip dysplasia and healthy controls. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Walking and running in 32 patients with hip dysplasia, mean 34 (18-53) years old, was compared with walking and running in 32 controls, mean 33 (18-54) years old. Joint kinematics and kinetics-quantified by the peak hip extension angle and the peak net joint moment of hip flexion during walking and running-were recorded using a motion-capture system, and health was evaluated using the Copenhagen Hip and Groin Outcome Score (HAGOS). RESULTS: The peak hip extension angle during walking was less in the patients than in the controls (-10.4 (SD 4.8) degrees vs. -13.2 (SD 4.5) degrees; p = 0.02). Similarly, the peak net joint moment of hip flexion during walking was lower in the patients than in the controls (0.57 (SD 0.13) N*m/kg vs. 0.70 (SD 0.22) N*m/kg; p = 0.008). In all dimensions of HAGOS, the patients scored lower than the controls. Furthermore, the hip extension angle and the net joint moment of hip flexion correlated with the HAGOS subscales pain and physical function in sport and recreation. INTERPRETATION: Patients with symptomatic hip dysplasia do modify walking and running, and we therefore suggest that the impairment found in this study should play an important role in the evaluation of later operative and training interventions.