Longitudinal postoperative joint kinematics of tibial plateau fracture patients

There are no longitudinal studies investigating the joint kinematics of the lower limbs following tibial plateau fracture. This means that physiotherapists and surgeons do not have the quantitative data on changes in function with time, which may be vital for postoperative rehabilitation. This study investigated whether postoperative joint kinematics during walking changed with time, and presents the first results of a larger study cohort involved at our institution. The hip, knee, and ankle joint angles were computed at two, six, and 12 weeks postoperative. At two and six weeks, there was reduced range of motion and asymmetry in all joints which rapidly improved by 12 weeks. The first results from this case series indicate rapid improvement toward normal lower limb joint kinematic profiles and symmetry within 12 weeks post-surgery for tibial plateau fracture.