Objectives: To evaluate changes of the gait pattern and the clinical improvement in patients with degenerative arthritis of the knee after total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Method: Gait analysis was performed in 64 patients with degenerative arthritis of the knee at pre- and post-surgery 1 year, also Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee score and Visual analogue scale (VAS) for clinical assessment were investigated.

Results: 1) In the HSS knee score and VAS, there were statistically significant improvement after surgery (p＜0.05). 2) In the postoperative gait analysis, all the linear parameters except single limb support period were significantly improved (p＜0.05). Single limb support period was improved, but statistically insignificant. All the kinematic and kinetic parameters also were significantly improved (p＜0.05).

Conclusion: This study suggests that gait analysis can be used for quantitative evaluation of the effects of total knee arthroplasty in patients with degenerative arthritis of the knee. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2002; 26: 581-586)

Objective: Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring glycosaminoglycan which, by virtue of its viscosity, elasticity and other theological properties, acts as lubrication and shock absorbing fluid in joints. In addition to its lubrication and cushioning properties, hyaluronic acid has been associated with in vitro anti-inflammatory activity and possible disease-modifying effect in animals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of intraarticular injection of hyaluronic acid or steroid on the healing of the experimental degenerative osteoarthritis and the therapeutic synergism between the hyaluronic acid and steroid.

Method: 48 rabbits with experimental osteoarthritis produced by extension immobilization of knees were treated with hyaluronic acid and/or steroid and then assessed clinically, radiologically, scintigraphically and histopathologically at pre and post treatment.

Results: The hyaluronic acid treated group had more favorable results than other groups but the results were not statistically significant. The steroid treated group did not have significant change in comparison to the control group. Therapeutic synergism between hyaluronic acid and steroid was not found.

Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that the intraarticular injection of hyaluronic acid may be effective for the treatment of patients with osteoarthritis.