Recovery after minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty: a gait study

Aim. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether gait returns to normal during the early postoperative period following minimally invasive (MIS) total hip arthroplasty (THA). Methods. Twenty-nine THA patients were compared against an age-matched group of normal subjects. All hip replacements were performed by two orthopedic surgeons using three MIS approaches. HHS, WOMAC scores, time distance parameters and three-dimensional hip kinematics and kinetics were collected at 6 and 12 weeks postoperatively. Results and conclusion. THA subjects had a rapid early functional recovery as assessed by HHS and WOMAC. However, gait analysis revealed that THA subjects did not return to normal within the study period. Walking speed, stride length, and cadence were below normal. In addition, differences from normal were seen in the external extension, adduction and internal rotation moments.