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

Abstract

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 preoperative 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.

Predicting daily gait behaviors after anterior cruciate ligament surgery: A case study

“…After surgery, people exhibit altered gait mechanics that are thought to be a necessary consequence of acute joint impairments [3], [4]. Despite concentrated rehabilitation efforts to restore mechanics these strategies have been found to persist 12-24 months following surgery in the absence of joint impairments [5].…”