Smoothness of gait in healthy older females and patients with postoperative proximal femur fracture

[Purpose] This study aimed to investigate the usefulness of a quality index in gait for proximal femur fractures. [Participants and Methods] In this study, 20 females with postoperative proximal femur fracture in the preparation phase for discharge (femur fracture group) aged ≥60 years (63.0 ± 3.0 years) and 20 healthy older females (healthy group) participated (75.7 ± 7.7 years) (n=40). Measurements were conducted at comfortable and maximal gait speeds. Power spectrum entropy (PSE), harmonic ratio (HR), and modified HR (mHR), which are smoothness indices, were calculated from the measured data in each of the three axial directions and compared. [Results] The healthy and femur fracture groups showed significant differences in the PSE, HR, and mHR for comfortable and maximal gait speed in the lateral and vertical directions. Furthermore, all directions between the HR and mHR in the femur fracture group had significant differences. [Conclusion] The usefulness of the PSE, HR, and mHR as quality evaluation indices of gait was demonstrated in patients with postoperative femur fractures after unilateral disability.