Outcome of unilateral ankle arthrodesis and total ankle replacement in terms of bilateral gait mechanics.
Previous studies assessed the outcome of ankle arthrodesis (AA) and total ankle replacement (TAR) surgeries; however, the extent of postoperative recovery towards bilateral gait mechanics (BGM) is unknown. We evaluated the outcome of the two surgeries at least 2 years post rehabilitation, focusing on BGM. 36 participants, including 12 AA patients, 12 TAR patients, and 12 controls were included. Gait assessment over 50 m distance was performed utilizing pressure insoles and 3D inertial sensors, following which an intraindividual comparison was performed. Most spatiotemporal and kinematic parameters in the TAR group were indicative of good gait symmetry, while the AA group presented significant differences. Plantar pressure symmetry among the AA group was also significantly distorted. Abnormality in biomechanical behavior of the AA unoperated, contralateral foot was observed. In summary, our results indicate an altered BGM in AA patients, whereas a relatively fully recovered BGM is observed in TAR patients, despite the quantitative differences in several parameters when compared to a healthy population. Our study supports a biomechanical assessment and rehabilitation of both operated and unoperated sides after major surgeries for ankle osteoarthrosis.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Pierre-Decker 4, CH-1011, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Swati
S
Chopra
Hossein
H
Rouhani
Mathieu
M
Assal
Kamiar
K
Aminian
Xavier
X
Crevoisier
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D001174:Arthrodesis; D058737:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Ankle; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005528:Foot / Q000502:physiology; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011312:Pressure; D016896:Treatment Outcome
ankle arthrodesis; bilateral gait; inertial sensors; plantar pressure parameters; total ankle replacement