Ankle-hindfoot arthrodesis in rheumatoid arthritis improves kinematics and kinetics of the knee and hip

Description: Conclusions. Our results demonstrate that ankle/hindfoot arthrodesis in RA is an effective intervention to reduce pain and to improve Health Related Quality of Life and functional ability. Moreover, the overlying leg joints experience an improvement in joint motion, muscle-generated joint moments and work during walking. Three-dimensional gait analysis may assist future investigations of the effects of orthopaedic surgery on functional mobility in RA to prevent irreversible disablement.
Ankle/hindfoot arthrodesis in rheumatoid arthritis improves kinematics and kinetics of the knee and hip: a prospective gait analysis study R. J. Weiss, E. Broström, A. Stark, M. C. Wick and P. Wretenberg Rheumatology Advance Access published online on April 4, 2007 Full text