Article

Gait analysis has been used to measure gait adaptations following total hip
replacement (THR) for many years. In this time, advances have been made in
implant technology and surgical procedure. However, gait adaptations persist
after surgery. This review of seven published studies, where gait characteristics
were compared between post-operative THR patients and healthy controls, had the
objective of investigating current practice in gait analysis of this patient
population and to determine if there is a consensus on post-operative gait
changes associated with THR. Levels of methodological quality and study design
were found to be variable. Meta-analyses were performed on all gait variables
reported by at least three studies to determine overall Cohen's d effect sizes
and 95% confidence intervals. Reductions in walking velocity (d=-0.79; CI=-1.54,
-0.04), stride length (d=-1.06; CI=-1.62, -0.49) and sagittal hip range of motion
(d=-1.58; CI=-2.12, -1.04) were observed. Increases in peak hip flexion (d=0.52;
CI=-0.01, 1.09) and extension (d=0.54; CI=-0.10, 1.09) moments were found,
although these were likely to be of less clinical significance. Reduced peak hip
abduction was also observed (d=-0.58; CI=-1.09, -0.06). Future developments in
THR technology and surgical methods should therefore aim to reduce the
differences between patients and controls in terms of walking velocity, stride
length, hip range of motion and hip abduction moments.
CI - Copyright (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS