Background:
Gait impairments are common in individuals with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) awaiting total knee arthroplasty (TKA), affecting mobility and quality of life. Wearable sensors, like the BTS G-Walk inertial system, provide a reliable, non-invasive way to assess gait biomechanics. This study aims to compare gait characteristics in Pre-TKA patients and a normal non-arthritic group, identifying key alterations to guide prehabilitation and rehabilitation strategies that may improve gait before surgery.
Methods:
This study included 60 participants (21 Pre-TKA, 39 non-arthritic), aged 64 to 85 years. Participants performed a standardized 14-meter walk, during which 17 biomechanical gait features were wirelessly measured using the BTS G-Walk inertial sensor.
Results:
Pre-TKA individuals exhibited significantly longer gait cycle and stride durations (p < 0.001), reduced cadence (p < 0.001), and lower symmetry indices (p = 0.004 to &<0.001) compared to the normal group. The right single support phase (p = 0.001) and right swing duration (p = 0.005) were significantly reduced, indicating altered gait stability. No significant differences were found in stride length or propulsion index, suggesting that compensatory mechanisms primarily affected temporal rather than spatial parameters. Conclusions: This study confirms significant gait impairments in individuals awaiting TKA, characterized by slower walking speeds, increased asymmetry, and reduced cadence. These findings highlight the need for prehabilitation programs to improve gait mechanics before surgery. The BTS G-Walk system offers an effective tool for non-invasive gait analysis and may support optimized rehabilitation strategies.

Authors:
Elina Gianzina, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
Christos K. Yiannakopoulos, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece

About the Presenter(s)
Elina Gianzina is a PhD candidate in Sports Science at the University of Athens. Specializing in sports medicine, physiotherapy, and rehabilitation, her current research focuses on athletic performance and recovery. She also works as a physiotherapis

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