Plantar Pressure Distribution during Standing in Female Patients with Hip Osteoarthritis Who Underwent Total Hip Arthroplasty

Abstract

Introduction: Assessment of plantar pressure indicates the manner in which the plantar region contacts the ground as the first point in a leg-linked kinetic chain, and receives force from the ground. However, few studies have examined the changes in plantar pressure distribution in patients who underwent Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) before and after THA, or compared plantar pressure distribution between THA patients and healthy adults. Objective: Plantar pressure distribution in patients with end-stage hip osteoarthritis who undergo THA may be adjusted to that in healthy adults by correcting leg length discrepancy. Herein, our objective was to find out if the plantar pressure distribution during standing differs before and after THA, and between healthy adults and THA patients. Design: Case control study. Setting: Single orthopedic clinic in Japan. Participants: THA patients (n=58; THA group) and healthy adults (n=53; control group). Interventions: Not applicable. Main outcome measure(s): The maximum plantar pressure under each foot measured during standing for 20 s was assessed for location, symmetry, and leg length discrepancy. Results: The distribution plantar pressure in the THA group differed preand postoperatively. The maximum plantar pressure region was the heel in approximately 80% of the patients three months after THA; it was not different in THA patients three months postoperatively and in healthy adults. Patients with asymmetrical maximum plantar pressure regions were those whose postoperative maximum plantar pressure region in the affected leg was the forefoot and those whose maximum plantar pressure region in the affected leg shifted to the heel. The leg length discrepancies decreased significantly after THA. Conclusions: The plantar pressure distribution during standing in female patients adjusted to that in healthy adults after THA. Patients with asymmetrical distribution of maximum plantar pressure may benefit from balance assessment and physical therapy.