Conversion of Fused Hip to Total Hip Arthroplasty with Presurgical and Postsurgical Gait Studies

This case study presents a subject with a fused hip converted to total hip arthroplasty. Kinematic gait analysis was conducted on 3 occasions, presurgery, 4 months postsurgery, and 2.5 years postsurgery. Presurgery data showed decreased cadence and shorter step length; sound limb possessed increased hip, knee range of motion (ROM), and increased knee flexion during stance; the affected limb had minimal hip motion and normal knee ROM with abnormal pattern. At 4 months postsurgery, the sound limb showed decreased step length, whereas the affected limb showed increased knee extension during stance and increased hip ROM. Data obtained at 2.5 years postsurgery indicated decreased cadence and speed and increased ROM in both limbs. The total hip arthroplasty had provided relief of chronic back and affected hip pain and improved mobility. Gait-specific training is recommended.