Rate of torque development is the primary contributor to quadriceps avoidance gait following total knee arthroplasty

Background: Following rehabilitation for total knee arthroplasty, “quadriceps avoidance gait” defined by limited knee flexion angle excursion during walking, persists and contributes to poor long-term outcomes. Given the presence of several post-surgical impairments, identifying the contribution of multiple factors to knee flexion angle excursion is important to developing targeted interventions to improve recovery after total knee arthroplasty. Research questions: Which outcomes continue to improve following rehabilitation for total knee arthroplasty? What are the primary contributors to impaired knee flexion angle excursion during walking following total knee arthroplasty? Methods: Peak muscle strength and rate of torque development of the quadriceps, hip abductors, and hip external rotators, five-time sit-to-stand test, Knee Injury & Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, and gait mechanics were assessed in 24 participants at three and six months post-surgery. Paired sample t-tests or Wilcoxon Signed-Rank tests were used to compare outcomes between assessments. Stepwise multiple linear regression were used to assess the contribution of each measure to knee flexion angle excursion. Results: Significant improvements were noted in all outcomes except hip external rotation rate of torque development, gait speed, and knee flexion angle excursion. Quadriceps rate of torque development and knee pain significantly contributed to knee flexion angle excursion at three months (Adjusted R ² = 0.342), while quadriceps rate of torque development and peak hip external rotation strength significantly contributed at six months (Adjusted R ² = 0.436). Significance: While higher pain levels at three months and greater peak hip external rotation muscle strength at six months contribute to impaired knee flexion angle excursion, quadriceps rate of torque development was the primary contributor to knee flexion angle excursion at both three and six months after surgery. Implementing strategies to maximize quadriceps rate of torque development during rehabilitation may help to reduce quadriceps avoidance gait after total knee arthroplasty.