The benefit of gait analysis in functional diagnostics in the rehabilitation of patients after operative treatment of calcaneal fractures

Abstract

The purpose of our examinations is to determine whether mechanized functional diagnostics can provide evidence of functional deficits in patients after operative treatment of calcaneal fractures, and whether measurable parameters for rehabilitation result. This retrospective study reports on 30 patients with fractures of the calcaneus who were treated between May 1993 and November 1996 with closed and ‘semi-open’ repositioning of the fragments and subsequent percutaneous Kirschner wire osteosynthesis according to the ‘AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot Scale,’ followed by isokinetic and gait analytical postoperative examination. Prior to beginning deficit-oriented therapy, the AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot Scale showed that after operative treatment of calcaneal fractures, 63.3% of the patients had a good to very good outcome. Gait analysis indicated significant deficits in functional mobility during the swing phase, manifesting as a diminishment of the active heel lift. At the time of the final assessment, the findings from gait analysis demonstrated that these deficits were no longer evident to any significant extent. The AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot Scale from the final assessment yielded an increase in good and very good results to a total of 80.0%. Mechanized functional diagnostics is suited to both the detection of functional deficits following reconstructive surgery on the musculoskeletal system and to devising individual, patient-oriented rehabilitation plans.