Research
Correlation of psychomotor findings and the ability to partially weight bear
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* Corresponding author: Clément ML Werner clement.werner@usz.ch
1 Department of Orthopaedics, University of Zurich, Uniklinik Balgrist, Forchstrasse 340, 8008 Zurich, Switzerland
2 Division of Trauma Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Rämistrasse 100, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
3 Department of Physical Therapy, University of Zurich, Uniklinik Balgrist, Forchstrasse 340, 8008 Zurich, Switzerland
4 Department of Biomechanics, University of Zurich, Uniklinik Balgrist, Forchstrasse 340, 8008 Zurich, Switzerland
Sports Medicine, Arthroscopy, Rehabilitation, Therapy & Technology 2012, 4:6 doi:10.1186/1758-2555-4-6
Published: 13 February 2012Abstract
Background
Partial weight bearing is thought to avoid excessive loading that may interfere with the healing process after surgery of the pelvis or the lower extremity. The object of this study was to investigate the relationship between the ability to partially weight bear and the patient's psychomotor skills and an additional evaluation of the possibility to predict this ability with a standardized psychomotor test.
Methods
50 patients with a prescribed partial weight bearing at a target load of 15 kg following surgery were verbally instructed by a physical therapist. After the instruction and sufficient training with the physical therapist vertical ground reaction forces using matrix insoles were measured while walking with forearm crutches. Additionally, psychomotor skills were tested with the Motorische Leistungsserie (MLS). To test for correlations Spearman's Rank correlation was used. For further comparison of the two groups a Mann-Withney test was performed using Bonferroni correction.
Results
The patient's age and body weight significantly correlated with the ability to partially weight bear at a 15 kg target load. There were significant correlations between several subtests of the MLS and ground reaction forces measured while walking with crutches. Patients that were able to correctly perform partial weight bearing showed significant better psychomotor skills especially for those subtests where both hands had to be coordinated simultaneously.
Conclusions
The ability to partially weight bear is associated with psychomotor skills. The MLS seems to be a tool that helps predicting the ability to keep within the prescribed load limits.