Relationship between functional results and coxofemoral kinematic in gait analysis after total hip arthroplasty

• Published in: European journal of orthopaedic surgery & traumatology 2002-03, Vol.12 (1), p.30-35
• Main Authors: POLLE, G, ROUSSIGNOL, X, TOBENAS, A. C, BIGA, N, DUJARDIN, F. H
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Joint replacement surgery; Kinematics; Medical sciences; Orthopedic surgery; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases
• ISSN: 1633-8065; 1432-1068
• DOI: 10.1007/s00590-002-0006-9

This study aimed at finding a relationship between functional results obtained after a total hip arthroplasty and gait analysis. One hundred primary Charnley prosthesis (66 patients) were reviewed, with a mean follow-up of 4.5 (1–22) years with good or very good functional results according to the MDA scale. Hip kinematic parameters were studied with the VICON system, and results were compared with those of a control group of 55 subjects matched for sex, age and height. Cadence did not seem to be related to functional results. Speed, step length and hip flexion-extension amplitude were related to the functional score. Patients with the best functional results appeared to be close to the control group for these criteria. A relationship was also observed between rotation amplitude and functional results but was greater in patients with the best results than in control subjects. Because of these relationships between functional results and kinematic parameters, kinematic studies could be useful for objective comparisons between the results of various surgical techniques. Such comparisons would be more objective than those based on functional scores, including subjective items. It remains to be demonstrated whether the measure of these kinematic parameters would provide greater sensitivity than the simple use of a functional scale.