Hip, knee and ankle kinematics improve after total knee replacement but do not return to normal

Purpose: Total knee replacement (TKR) surgery is performed to reduce pain and improve the function of lower limb. Most current literature focuses on kinematics pre post-TKR, compared healthy controls. However, there limited research exploring hip ankle before after TKR comparing them non-pathological subjects (NP). This study aims explore differences in hip, sagittal frontal planes post-TKR investigate whether limb joints’ normalise compare NP. knowledge would help understand which extent helps whole function. Methods: In this longitudinal study, biomechanical data was collected using a CAST marker set 21 patients approximately 12 months (22 knees, primary TKR) 20 All participants gave written consent prior collection. Participants walked barefoot at self-selected speed motion capture lab (Qualisys camera system, Sweden) over 10-meter walkway instrumented with 6 force plates (Bertec Inc., Ohio). Additionally, patients’ active-assisted range movement (ROM) recorded from seated position for both visits. The Oxford Knee Score (OKS) Visual 3D (C-Motion, MD) used calculate planes. median between were calculated Wilcoxon signed-rank test (p-value ≤ 0.05). NP determined Mann-Whitney U Results: Compared (45% women), (25% women) pre-TKR significantly older (median difference 19 years, p<0.001), heavier 22.2 Kg, p<0.001) had higher body mass index 7.32 Kg/m2, p<0.001). OKS improved 15.5, p=0.001) but not comparable 12, ROM, gait variables, joint angles are displayed Table 1 all groups. significant reported highlighted dark grey. When pre-TKR, showed small increase ROM 1.7°, p=0.008) their value when looking peak angles, larger flexion 4.3°, p=0.004) and, more prominently, reduced extension 8.2°, Pre assessment 3.1°, especially while walking 5.9°, p=0.001). change resulted increased during 8.5°, Despite this, surgery, still 6.9°, p<0.001 8.1°, p=0.001, respectively). Considering ankle, mainly due plantarflexion p=0.005). NP, values similar patient’s dorsiflexion greater 4.7°, plantar smaller 4.8°, p=0.019) than plane, did post-TKR. abduction 3.7°, p=0.002) 3.6°, 2.4°, p=0.019), inversion 1.4°, p=0.031) decrease eversion p=0.051); these variables those it 4.6°, p=0.017). by 14% 0.13 m/s, 25% slower one year 0.31 cycle duration 6.9% longer 0.08 s, despite 5.7% 0.07 p,0.001). stance time group post-surgery 2.4%, Conclusions: Patients who underwent an surgery; reflected positively exhibited mostly ROMs gait, augmented plantarflexion. only valgus angle decreased display return may be because much younger one. they shifted towards markedly ankle. stiffer as mobility unlike investigation that improvement following TKR, plane joint. whose largest limitations observed plane. suggests important consider joints alongside evaluate outcomes rehabilitation process. More needed determine factors could affect surgery.