Abstract
Background: Biomechanics after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) often remain abnormal and may lead to prolonged postoperative recovery. The purpose of this study is to assess a biomechanical therapy after TKA. Methods: This is a randomized controlled trial of 50 patients after unilateral TKA. One group underwent a biomechanical therapy in which participants followed a walking protocol while wearing a foot-worn biomechanical device that modifies knee biomechanics and the control group followed a similar walking protocol while wearing a foot-worn sham device. All patients had standard physical therapy postoperatively as well. Patients were evaluated throughout the first postoperative year with clinical measures and gait analysis. Results: Improved outcomes were seen in the biomechanical therapy group compared to the control group in pain scores (88% vs 38%, P =.011), function (86% vs 21%, P =.001), knee scores (83% vs 38%, P =.001), and walking distance (109% vs 47%, P =.001) at 1 year. The therapy group showed healthier biomechanical gait patterns in both the sagittal and coronal planes at 1 year. Conclusion: A postoperative biomechanical therapy improves outcomes following TKA and should be considered as an additional therapy postoperatively.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 47-55 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Journal of Arthroplasty |
Volume | 34 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1 Jan 2019 |
Keywords
- biomechanics
- clinical outcomes
- gait analysis
- kinematics and kinetics of the knee
- sagittal and coronal plane
- total knee arthroplasty
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Orthopedics and Sports Medicine