Gait parameter adjustment after knee arthroplasty by kinesiotherapy in suspension

The study is relevant due to persistent postural control impairment and gait disorder in patients post total knee arthroplasty (TKA), despite pain relief and restoration of the range of motion. The study aimed to assess the effects of kinesiotherapy in suspension on the patients’ stabilometry and gait phase parameters in the long term after TKA. A prospective comparative study was conducted that involved 93 patients (39 males and 54 females; average age 62.3 ± 5.1 years) enrolled 36 months after surgery. The patients were randomized into the index group (standard rehabilitation involving kinesiotherapy in suspension) and comparison group (standard program). The efficacy was assessed using stabilometry and gait phase analysis before and after the 3-week rehabilitation course. In the index group, a significant decrease in the normalized vectorogram area from 320 ± 60 to 190 ± 40 mm2 (p = 0.001) and mean center of pressure movement linear speed from 15.5 ± 2.8 to 8.7 ± 2.1 mm/s (p = 0.002) was revealed. The stance phase duration increased by 18%, and the walking phase symmetry increased from 74 ± 5 to 90 ± 4% (p < 0.01). In the comparison group, the changes were non-significant (p > 0.05). The decrease in WOMAC scores was reported for both groups, there were no intergroup differences. The data obtained confirm the efficacy of using kinesiotherapy in suspension to adjust postural and locomotor disorders after TKA.