Impact of Crutch Type on Gait and Functional Outcomes Post-knee Surgery

Summary

Participation Requirements

Description

A growing number of Canadians are undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for osteoarthritis. Additionally, patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) are at increased risk for requiring TKA later in life. After both TKA and ACLR, most Canadian patients will use axillary c...

A growing number of Canadians are undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for osteoarthritis. Additionally, patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) are at increased risk for requiring TKA later in life. After both TKA and ACLR, most Canadian patients will use axillary crutches (AC) to mobilize. Despite their benefits, AC users experience discomfort or even injury to the upper extremities and non-operated lower extremity due to increased and repetitive loading though these structures that crutch-walking demands. The addition of such pain or injury to a patient that already has impaired ambulatory ability can thus compound disability, increase health care resources utilization, and delay return to work. While AC are most commonly used in Canada and the United States, the forearm crutch (FC) tends to be used for the same indications in Europe and Australia. The impact of FC on upper extremity biomechanics has been extensively studied. In contrast, minimal research has been conducted on AC-assisted gait. Therefore, there is a critical knowledge gap regarding the consequences of AC use on upper extremity movement patterns and patient functional outcomes. In this study, the investigators will assess how TKA and ACLR populations ambulate with both FC and AC during their postoperative rehabilitation in order to determine how both crutch types affect upper extremity movement. Additionally, the influence of weight, sex, and gender on injury type and risk will be assessed as these parameters have not been well-described in literature. Highlighting such differences may invite Canadian healthcare providers to consider which crutch type - axillary or forearm - may be better for patient safety.

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