Pre-Operative versus Post-Operative Gait Variability in Patients with Acute Anterior Cruciate Ligament Deficiency

• Published in: Journal of international medical research 2011-04, Vol.39 (2), p.580-593
• Main Authors: Tsivgoulis, SD, Tzagarakis, GN, Papagelopoulos, PJ, Koulalis, D, Sakellariou, VI, Kampanis, NA, Chlouverakis, GI, Alpantaki, KI, Nikolaou, PK, Katonis, PG
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Anterior Cruciate Ligament - pathology; Anterior Cruciate Ligament - physiopathology; Anthropometry; Case-Control Studies; Entropy; Gait - physiology; Humans; Male; Postoperative Period; Preoperative Period
• ISSN: 0300-0605; 1473-2300
• DOI: 10.1177/147323001103900227

Change in gait variability at least 6 months after surgical reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) was assessed in 20 male patients with acute ACL deficiency and compared with pre-operative data and that from 20 healthy male controls. Gait was measured using a triaxial accelerometer and data were analysed by the Gait Evaluation Differential Entropy Method (GEDEM) to determine gait variability. Pain was assessed with a visual analogue scale and functional ability with the Oswestry Disability Index and the International Knee Documentation Committee score. Mean gait variability was significantly lower after than before surgery, with values for the anterior—posterior axis being in the normal range of controls after 6 months, whereas in the mediolateral axis mean gait variability remained significantly higher, indicating that some rotational instability remained in the time-frame of the study. Pain and functional ability scores improved after surgery compared with before surgery. The combination of accelerometry and GEDEM may be a useful orthopaedic tool for the post-operative evaluation of patients who have undergone ACL reconstruction.