HRA patients observed greater stride length and greater range of motion

Gerhardt DMJM et al, present their findings following a Gait analysis study. “Resurfacing hip arthroplasty better preserves a normal gait pattern at increasing walking speeds compared to total hip arthroplasty". Acta Orthop. 2019 Jun;90(3):231-236. doi 10.1080/17453674.2019.1594096. Epub 2019 Apr 1. PMID: 30931667; PMCID: PMC6534262.

The purpose of the study was to conduct a Gait analysis under increased physical demand which may detect differences in gait between total (THA) versus resurfacing hip arthroplasty (RHA), which are not measured at normal walking speed. The study group included patients from a randomized controlled trial comparing THA with RHA with at least 5 years of follow-up and a UCLA score of more than 3 points (n = 34).

Key Observations

• At a walking speed of 1.11m/s no major differences in patient postoperative gait pattern can be observed comparing RHA with conventional THA.

• At increased walking speeds, RHA patients tolerated more weight on the operated side than THA patients, and as such weight bearing approached the unaffected contralateral side.

• Towards a patient’s top walking speed, HRA patients observed greater stride length and greater range of motion.

The findings of the study objectively supported the author’s assumption that “the use of a large femoral head diameter in RHA and the absence of an intramedullary stem in the femur may explain the perceived more natural gait claimed by patients after RHA”1, which was indicated by a more natural postoperative gait restoration seen after RHA compared with conventional THA.

JM Comments

The result of this study provides additional information to those seeking hip arthroplasty treatment and health care professionals, guiding decision-making for patients who wish to maintain a normal gait pattern that could complement an active lifestyle.