Journal article
Upper extremity joint stresses during walker-assisted ambulation in post-surgical patients
Revista brasileira de fisioterapia (São Carlos (São Paulo, Brazil)), v 15(4), pp 332-337
01 Jul 2011
PMID: 21975683
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Background: A walker is a common device prescribed for ambulatory assistance for individuals with balance difficulties or to reduce lower extremity demands following injury or surgery. The long-term use of a walker imposes significant demands on the patient's upper extremities that may lead to increased risk for development of secondary conditions such as wrist, elbow or shoulder pain. Objective: To describe the joint kinematics, forces and moments of the wrist, elbow and shoulder in a sample of twenty patients that were using a walker as a result of total joint surgery of the hips and knees. Methods: Three-dimensional upper extremity kinematics were recorded using a motion capture system synchronized with forces and torques transmitted through a walker instrumented with force transducers in the handles. Results: Compressive forces were found to be nearly 20% of the body weight at each of the upper extremity joints, both surgical and non-surgical sides, being the greatest force at the wrist and decreasing proximally. Compression forces were greater in the non-surgical side limb at the wrist and at the elbow. Conclusion: Our findings indicated that loads on upper extremity joints associated with the use of a walker for assisted ambulation are high and further studies are needed to address the cause-effect relationship between the actual joint loading and the development of secondary musculoskeletal upper extremity complaints in more frail patients.
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Details
- Title
- Upper extremity joint stresses during walker-assisted ambulation in post-surgical patients
- Creators
- Kevin J. McQuade - University of WashingtonMargaret Finley - University of IndianapolisAnamaria S. Oliveira - University of Sao Paulo
- Publication Details
- Revista brasileira de fisioterapia (São Carlos (São Paulo, Brazil)), v 15(4), pp 332-337
- Publisher
- Associacao Brasileira Pesquisa Pos-Graduacao Fisioterapia-Abrapg-Ft
- Number of pages
- 6
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Drexel University; Physical Therapy (and Rehabilitation Sciences)
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000295237800012
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-80052560167
- Other Identifier
- 991019520544504721
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InCites Highlights
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- Collaboration types
- International collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Orthopedics
- Rehabilitation