THE DIFFERENT IMPROVEMENT TRENDS BETWEEN GAIT SPEED AND QUADRICEPS STRENGTH EARLY AFTER TKA. (11th November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Iwata, A; Sano, Y; Wanaka, H; Yamamoto, S; Yano, Y; Higuchi, Y; Fuchioka, S
• Is Part Of: Innovation in aging. Volume 2(2018)Supplement 1
• Page Start: 305
• Page End: 305
• Publication Date: 2018-11-11
• Subjects: Aging -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Periodicals; 612.67
• DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igy023.1119
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2399-5300

Abstract

Abstract: Background. The improvement of quadriceps strength is one of the main target of the rehabilitation early after TKA. This is based on the premise that the relationship between gait function and quadriceps strength is strong. However, many patients show the different improvement trends between gait function and quadriceps strength. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between the improvements of quadriceps strength and gait function early after TKA. Methods. This was a prospective observational study. Forty-nine patients who scheduled to undergo unilateral TKA (76.4 years) participated in this study. We measured gait function (gait speed and timed up and go test (TUG)), bilateral quadriceps strengths, and pain. All measurements were performed at pre-operatively and post-operatively at one, two and three weeks. Results. The correlation between gait function and quadriceps strength of the operated side were significantly at pre-operative and 3weeks after surgery. Quadriceps strength of the non-operated side was significantly with gait speed and TUG at all time points, except for TUG at 1weeks. In multiple regression analyses, quadriceps strength of the non-operated side was identified as significant factor of gait functions, whereas quadriceps strength of the non-operated side was not selected as an independent variable at all time points. Furthermore, there was a large gap between the decreasing rate of the gait function and quadriceps strength of the operated side at all time points. Conclusions. Quadriceps strength of the operated side is not a crucial factor in determining the gait function early after TKA.