Development and validation of a functional outcome measure package for total knee arthroplasty

Functional improvement is an important outcome following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). According to recent research, three-dimensional motion analysis is the most scientific method of measuring dynamic knee function. Nevertheless, current protocols are too time consuming and complicated for routine clinical use. This study developed a clinic-appropriate motion capture system, and investigated the feasibility of its use in a clinical environment. A compact motion capture system (Dimensions: 3.5(L)x2.1(H)x1.1(W)m) and bespoke cluster-based biomechanical model were developed. Assessments for quantifying knee range of motion (ROM), knee strength, gait kinematics, and gait stability were incorporated into the software. Most results were reported in real-time. Validation studies of the assessments against clinical standard tools showed few clinically significant differences between the results, suggesting that the assessments could be used as accurate and reliable alternatives to the traditional tools. The system was then used clinically to report the functional outcome of Medacta GMK Sphere TKA patients. Patients underwent functional testing pre-, 6-weeks, and 1-year post-operatively. Average recorded assessment time was 16.8±2.4 minutes. On average, knee ROM, gait kinematics, spatio-temporal parameters of gait and gait stability improved post-operatively. Knee strength decreased over the first year however, suggesting that TKA patients require strength training post operatively in order to optimise functional outcome. The results reported in this trial were generally consistent with the current literature, implying that the system returned valid data for this patient cohort, and that the Medacta GMK Sphere TKA was successful at improving knee function, especially in frontal and transverse planes during gait.To conclude, this thesis has shown that motion capture technology can feasibly be used in the clinical environment to assess the function of TKA patients in an acceptable clinical time frame. The system developed and presented here can therefore justifiably be used clinically to better report the functional outcome of TKA.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

phd

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

doctoral-pg

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Strathclyde

Year dc:date.issued

2017

Author dc:creator

• Tawy, Gwenllian Fflur

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Rowe, Philip
• Riches, Philip

DOI

10.48730/dg7h-hw64

Identifier

uk.bl.ethos.759427
T15002

Author Identifier

201457957

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:strathclyde:7h149p90s