Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2013 Mar;37(3):363-7.
doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2012.08.006. Epub 2012 Sep 11.

Factors predicting weight-bearing asymmetry 1month after unilateral total knee arthroplasty: a cross-sectional study

Cory L Christiansen  1 , Michael J Bade, David A Weitzenkamp, Jennifer E Stevens-Lapsley
Affiliations

Factors predicting weight-bearing asymmetry 1month after unilateral total knee arthroplasty: a cross-sectional study

Cory L Christiansen et al. Gait Posture. 2013 Mar.

Abstract

Factors predicting weight-bearing asymmetry (WBA) after unilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are not known. However, identifying modifiable and non-modifiable predictors of WBA is needed to optimize rehabilitation, especially since WBA is negatively correlated to poor functional performance. The purpose of this study was to identify factors predictive of WBA during sit-stand transitions for people 1month following unilateral TKA.

Methods: Fifty-nine people were tested preoperatively and 1month following unilateral TKA for WBA using average vertical ground reaction force under each foot during the Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test. Candidate variables tested in the regression analysis represented physical impairments (strength, muscle activation, pain, and motion), demographics, anthropometrics, and movement compensations.

Results: WBA, measured as the ratio of surgical/non-surgical limb vertical ground reaction force, was 0.69 (0.18) (mean (SD)) 1month after TKA. Regression analysis identified preoperative WBA (β=0.40), quadriceps strength ratio (β=0.31), and hamstrings strength ratio (β=0.19) as factors predictive of WBA 1month after TKA (R(2)=0.30).

Conclusion: Greater amounts of WBA 1month after TKA are predicted by modifiable factors including habitual movement pattern and asymmetry in quadriceps and hamstrings strength.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

None of the authors have a conflict of interest.

References

    1. Christiansen CL, Bade MJ, Judd D, Stevens-Lapsley JE. Weight-bearing asymmetry during sit to stand transistions related to impairment and functional mobility after total knee arthroplasty. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2011;92:1624–1629. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Mizner RL, Snyder-Mackler L. Altered loading during walking and sit-to-stand is affected by quadriceps weakness after total knee arthroplasty. J Orthop Res. 2005 Sep;23(5):1083–1090. - PubMed
    1. Farquhar SJ, Kaufman KR, Snyder-Mackler L. Sit-to-stand 3 months after unilateral total knee arthroplasty: comparison of self-selected and constrained conditions. Gait Posture. 2009 Aug;30(2):187–191. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Farquhar SJ, Reisman DS, Snyder-Mackler L. Persistence of altered movement patterns during a sit-to-stand task 1 year following unilateral total knee arthroplasty. Phys Ther. 2008 May;88(5):567–579. - PubMed
    1. Harato K, Nagura T, Matsumoto H, Otani T, Toyama Y, Suda Y. Extension limitation in standing affects weight-bearing asymmetry after unilateral total knee arthroplasty. J Arthroplasty. 2010 Feb;25(2):225–229. - PubMed

Publication types