Postural sway in single-limb and bilateral quiet standing after unilateral total knee arthroplasty

- 30% of subjects with TKA were unable to perform 20 s single-limb stance on any leg.
- Single-limb postural sway was similar in all subjects able to stand on one leg.
- Ability to stand on one leg did not affect postural sway in bilateral standing.
- Older age, higher BMI, and quadriceps weakness predicted failure to stand on one leg.
- Physical capacity rather than TKA appears to predict ability to stand on one leg.

AimTo investigate whether total knee arthroplasty (TKA) was associated with stability in single-limb stance and whether reduced stability in single-limb stance was associated with increased postural sway in bilateral quiet standing.Methods3D kinematics for center of mass was used to assess postural sway in 23 subjects with TKA and 23 controls. Tests included bilateral quiet standing with and without vision and on a compliant surface, and single-limb stance.Results30% of the subjects in the TKA group were unable to maintain single-limb stance for 20 s on any leg. Of the 70% in the TKA group able to stand on one leg, mean sway velocity in the medio-lateral direction was marginally higher for the prosthetic side (p = .02), but no differences were found between the TKA and the control group in single-limb stance. Performance in bilateral quiet standing was similar in TKA-subjects, able as well as unable to stand on one leg, and controls. Reduced quadriceps strength in the contralateral leg, higher BMI, and older age predicted failure to maintain single-limb stance.ConclusionIn subjects able to stand on one leg, performance was considered comparable between the prosthetic and contralateral side and between groups. Inability to stand on one leg did not affect postural sway in bilateral quiet standing. The results suggest that inability to maintain single-limb stance is explained by reduced physical capacity rather than the knee condition in itself. The present study emphasizes the importance of physical activity to improve strength and functional capacity.