title: Dynamic parameters of three-point crutch gait in female patients after total hip arthroplasty.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Patient recovery after a surgical procedure depends, among other factors, on the amount of the body weight with which patient loads lower limb. Research studies report different results of the degree of body weight with which lower limb is loaded during three-point crutch gait. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of the ground reaction forces (GRF) during crutch gait used by patients after total hip arthroplasty (THA) in the first week after discharge from the orthopaedic units.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten female patients diagnosed with primary unilateral coxarthrosis participated in a single measurement session. In order to record kinematic and dynamic variables of this gait pattern motion analysis system was used together with two force plates. The static test of body weight distribution between lower limbs was performed on a dual-top stabilometric plate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average peak values of loading on the operated (O) limb during mid stance and terminal stance of three-point crutch gait were 64.6% and 64.3% of body weight (BW), respectively, whereas in the case of the nonoperated (NO) limb 103.5%BW and 108.8%BW, respectively. The maximum loads on the crutches were significantly higher (by 9%BW) on the NO side as compared to the O side ( p < 0.05). During the static test, average values of body weight distribution on the O and NO limb were 36%BW and 64%BW, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The patients showed surprisingly similar level of loading on the O limb. The weight bearing on the O limb was lower during static trial than during three-point crutch gait.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomechanics, University School of Physical Education, Poznań, Poland.
authors.forename: Michał
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Murawa
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy and Biological Renovation, Stanisław Wojciechowski Higher Vocational State School, Kalisz, Poland.
authors.forename: Lechosław B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Dworak
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomechanics, University School of Physical Education, Poznań, Poland.
authors.forename: Jarosław
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kabaciński
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Rehabilitation, The Children's Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Syczewska
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomechanics, University School of Physical Education, Poznań, Poland.
authors.forename: Agata
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rzepnicka
mesh_terms: D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003446:Crutches; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors