Article

The objective of this study was to investigate whether total knee
arthroplasty (TKA) impairs the ability to perform an emergency stop. DESIGN: An
automatic transmission brake simulator was developed to evaluate total brake
response time. A prospective repeated-measures design was used. Forty patients
(20 left/20 right) were measured 8 days and 6, 12, and 52 wks after surgery.
RESULTS: Eight days postoperative total brake response time increased
significantly by 30% in right TKA and insignificantly by 2% in left TKA. Brake
force significantly decreased by 35% in right TKA and by 25% in left TKA during
this period. Baseline values were reached at week 12 in right TKA; the impairment
of outcome measures, however, was no longer significant at week 6 compared with
preoperative values. Total brake response time and brake force in left TKA fell
below baseline values at weeks 6 and 12. Brake force in left TKA was the only
outcome measure significantly impaired 8 days postoperatively. CONCLUSION: This
study highlights that categorical statements cannot be provided. This study's
findings on automatic transmission driving suggest that right TKA patients may
resume driving 6 wks postoperatively. Fitness to drive in left TKA is not fully
recovered 8 days postoperatively. If testing is not available, patients should
refrain from driving until they return from rehabilitation.

Langue : ANGLAIS