Abstract
Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the functional performance of patients who underwent to two different types of total knee prosthesis replacement (TKR).
Methods: Kinematics and kinetics of the knee and ankle and electromyography activity of the lower limb muscles were obtained from 16 patients who underwent a TKR. 8 patients had received a fixed bearing prosthesis while the other 8 patients had received a mobile bearing prosthesis. The functional performance of the patients was evaluated using two tests, the gait and the squat. As control, 8 normal subjects, matched by age, were also evaluated.
Results: During the stance phase of gait, patients with TKR showed a reduced knee extensor (internal) moment as compared to normal controls. During the squat test, patients with TKR exhibited a knee ROM that was reduced with respect to normal patients. Moreover, all patients with TKR showed a low velocity of execution of the both tests. There were no significant differences between patients who had received a fixed vs. mobile bearing prosthesis.
Discussion: The results showed that after TKR, the functional performance of the patients is different from that of the normal subjects, regardless of the type of prosthesis implanted.
Correspondence should be addressed to Ariella Neustadt at Studio EGA, Professional Congress Organisers, Viale Tiziano, 19 - 00196, Rome - Italy.
