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Timed up and go test, knee extensor strength can predict 6-month ambulation following THA
Nankaku M, Tsuboyama T, Kakinoki R, et al. J Orthop Sci. Published online May 7, 2011. DOI: 10.1007/s00776-011-0067-x
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When tested at an early stage after total hip arthroplasty, timed up and go results — as well as knee extensor strength — can be viable indicators for the prediction of patients’ ability to ambulate 6 months postoperatively.
The researchers analyzed 123 patients who had undergone unilateral total hip arthroplasty, assessing hip abductor and knee extensor strength. According to the study abstract, the timed up and go test was performed at the 4-week mark postoperatively. Patients were then divided into two separate groups based on functionality in terms of the ability to walk as well as climb and descend stairs at the 6-month postoperative mark. Sixty-four patients were placed in the “good” ambulatory group, with the remaining 59 placed in the “non-good” ambulatory group.
The team found discriminating criteria between the two groups to be 0.47 Nm/kg for hip abductor strength; 1.07 Nm/kg for knee extensor strength; and 10 seconds for the timed up and go test.
“By multiple logistic regression, knee extensor strength and [the timed up and go test] at 4 weeks were significantly associated with the categorization at 6 months,” the authors wrote.