The effect of using walking poles on the spatiotemporal gait parameters in patients who underwent surgery for hip fractures

Abstract

Purpose This study aimed to investigate the differences in spatiotemporal gait parameters in patients who underwent surgery for hip fractures when using walking poles and T-canes. Methods This cross-sectional study enrolled eight patients who underwent surgery for a unilateral hip fracture (mean age, 79.0 ± 7.9 years) and 34 healthy individuals who had no symptoms (mean age, 32.1 ± 6.2 years). The outcome measures were the walking speed, trunk acceleration, and lateral lean angles of the trunk, shoulder, and pelvis during walking. The results were compared among the three types of walking aids, namely, a T-cane, double T-canes, and walking poles. Results Acceleration indices step symmetry in the vertical and anteroposterior directions in walking with walking poles were significantly larger than that in walking with a T-cane. These results were common in patients with fractures and healthy individuals. Conclusions Walking with walking poles might be a more symmetrical gait style than walking with a T-cane in patients who underwent surgery for hip fractures.