Longitudinal changes in lower limb muscle activity during walking and stair climbing with full weight bearing in postoperative Trimalleolar fracture patients.

Abstract

Patients after ankle fracture are instructed to avoid weight bearing for several weeks. This study aimed to determine changes in lower limb muscle activity during both walking and stair climbing at 1 and 2 months after resuming weight bearing. The study population consisted of 10 patients who had undergone open osteosynthesis for unilateral trimalleolar fracture. Lower limb muscle activity was measured using surface electromyography. When it became possible to walk without the aid of assistive devices, we measured the lower limb muscle activity during walking and stair climbing. As a result of multiple comparisons, lower limb muscle activity during walking was significantly reduced when comparing the baseline and the measurement taken 2 months later. Both lower limb muscle activity when ascending and descending stairs was significantly reduced when comparing the 1 and 2 months later. The study compared lower limb muscle activity during walking and stair climbing in postoperative patients with trimalleolar fractures, immediately after resumption of full weight bearing and at 1 and 2 months' follow-up. The results showed that the degree of recovery varied between muscles when comparing baseline and 1 month later for both walking and stair climbing, but all muscle activities were reduced when compared to 2 months later.