Factors associated with gait speed recovery after total knee arthroplasty: A longitudinal study

Objectives: Gait speed limitations can remain significant issues after a total knee arthroplasty (TKA) but their associated factors are not well understood. This study aimed to identify the factors associated with acute gait speed recovery post TKA. Methods: We performed a prospective longitudinal study of 1765 patients who underwent primary TKA between July 2013 and July 2015. At 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks post surgery, fast gait speed was measured. The factors associated with gait speed over time since TKA were identified using multivariable generalized least-squares modeling. Results: Lower postoperative quadriceps strength and knee flexion range-of-motion were closely associated with lower gait speed over time (0.084 m/s, 0.064 m/s, and 0.055 m/s change in gait speed per interquartile range change in ipsilateral quadriceps strength, contralateral quadriceps strength, and knee flexion range-of-motion, respectively). Additional strong predictors of lower gait speed included older age (0.11 m/s), lower levels of preoperative Short-Form-36 physical function (0.066 m/s), greater body mass (0.046 m/s), and the preoperative use of a walking aid (overall P