Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Recently, total ankle replacement has been widely used and the efficacy has also been recognized, but the efficacy is often assessed through various types of assessment criteria. However, there lacks the researches on the gait changes in the patients with total ankle replacement.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the walking ability of the patients before and after total ankle replacement by using Kofoed scoring system and gait analysis system.
METHODS: From September 2007 to June 2011, the patients received total ankle replacement were selected from Department of Orthopedics, Renji Hospital of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and were evaluated by using Kofoed scoring system and gait analysis system. Then compared with 15 normal control subjects and observed the changes of ankle joint function before and after total ankle replacement.
RESLUTS AND CONCLUSION: After total ankle replacement, the Kofoed scoring score and most of the gait parameters were significantly improved (P < 0.05), such as the step length, gait velocity, the affected single leg supporting time and legs supporting time, as well as the activity of ipsilateral ankle joint, contralateral ankle joint, ipsilateral hip, ipsilateral knee and contralateral knee.