Walking oddly after knee surgery? The test we use to put it right

Knee surgery is an increasingly common procedure, especially among athletes, active people and those with degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis. However, one of the most common after-effects of the operation is an altered walking pattern. Many patients report an altered gait after surgery: here is how physiotherapy assesses the problem and intervenes with specific tests. At Ti-FISIO Lugano, specialists in rehabilitation after knee surgery, we tackle the problem with a scientific, personalised approach based on targeted functional tests and advanced physiotherapy treatments.

After knee surgery, such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, a total or partial replacement or a meniscectomy, changes in gait are normal. This happens for several reasons:

• Residual pain and joint stiffness
• Muscle weakness, especially of the quadriceps and glutes
• Reduced joint mobility
• Altered movement patterns acquired to compensate for pain
• Insufficient proprioception (awareness of the body in space)

If they are not corrected with appropriate rehabilitation after knee surgery , all these factors can affect walking in the long term and increase the risk of further injuries or of overload on other joints such as the hip and the spine.

The first aim of physiotherapy is to analyse the problem. At Ti-FISIO Lugano, we use precise clinical tools to assess the patient’s post-operative gait. The main tests include:

1. Gait analysis

Using video observation and biomechanical assessment, we identify changes in foot contact, in knee extension or in pelvic rotation during walking. This test lets us quantify the imbalance and establish a baseline from which to start rehabilitation after knee surgery.

2. Balance and proprioception tests

We use tests on unstable platforms or with sensors to assess how well the patient can control their balance. After knee surgery this ability is often impaired and needs to be restored in order to avoid further injuries.

3. Muscle strength tests

Using manual tests or dynamometers, we assess the remaining strength of the quadriceps, hamstrings and glutes. Weakness in these areas is often the main cause of an incorrect gait. A good course of rehabilitation after knee surgery also aims at full muscle recovery.

At Ti-FISIO Lugano, the rehabilitation pathway is divided into several stages, each with clearly defined objectives:

Stage 1: controlling pain and inflammation

Immediately after the operation, it is essential to reduce pain and swelling through:

• Manual therapy and lymphatic drainage
• Cryotherapy (applying ice)
• Electrical stimulation and pain-relieving techniques
• Guidance on gradual weight-bearing

Stage 2: restoring mobility and starting re-education

Once the pain is under control, work focuses on restoring the knee’s range of motion, extension and flexion, through:

• Assisted joint mobilisation
• Stretching of the hamstring muscles
• Controlled active exercises
• Kinesio Taping to support movement

Stage 3: muscle strengthening and weight-bearing re-education

This is the stage where the “crooked gait” is prevented. The patient is guided through a course of rehabilitation after knee surgery that includes:

• Closed kinetic chain exercises (e.g. squats, controlled lunges)
• Neuromuscular activation and selective strengthening
• Coordination and stability training

Stage 4: return to physiological walking and to active life

Through comparison tests with the healthy limb and walking simulations in different conditions (uphill, downhill, uneven surfaces), we correct altered movement strategies.

At our physiotherapy centre in Lugano, the focus is on recovering the natural movement pattern so that the patient can walk correctly and without compensations.

Ignoring an altered walking pattern may seem harmless at first, but over time it can lead to:

• Compensatory pain in the hip, pelvis or back
• A greater risk of falls or instability
• Joint overload and premature wear of the implant
• Relapses or the need for further operations

The rehabilitation after knee surgery is precisely what prevents these scenarios, working in a targeted way from the very first weeks after the operation.

If, after knee surgery, you notice that:

• You struggle to fully straighten or bend your leg
• You limp or your leg swings out in an arc
• You have pain or discomfort in your back or in the hip on the opposite side
• You feel unsteady or tired when walking

…your gait is probably altered. Do not wait for the problem to become chronic: prompt rehabilitation after knee surgery is the most effective choice for getting back to walking correctly.

Our centre works with evidence-based protocols, combining objective tests, rehabilitation technology and personalised attention to the patient. That is why we are a point of reference in Lugano for post-operative physiotherapy:

• Physiotherapists specialising in orthopaedic surgery
• Individual treatments and constant monitoring of progress
• A rehabilitation gym equipped for every stage of recovery
• Tailored programmes for athletes, older people or people with particular needs

We know that every patient is different, and that is why rehabilitation after knee surgery has to be adapted to your body, your pace and your goals.

Recognising and correcting an altered gait after knee surgery is essential to ensure the long-term success of the operation. With the help of functional tests and the experience of the team at Ti-FISIO Lugano, your rehabilitation after knee surgery will be effective, safe and lasting.

📍 Contact us today to book an assessment: we are ready to help you get moving properly again.

Choosing a specialist centre such as Ti-Fisio for laser therapy in Mendrisio means receiving high-quality treatment delivered in a professional, safe and always personalised setting. The technology used is among the most advanced available on the market, and every patient is followed with care and expertise at every stage of the treatment pathway.

The aim is always to guide the patient towards a full recovery, avoiding unnecessary treatments, ensuring a real impact on quality of life and reducing the time needed to get back to being active.
Contact Ti-Fisio in Mendrisio and request a physiotherapy assessment: you will be able to access a personalised pathway that incorporates laser therapy in a targeted, effective and clinically validated way.

+41 91 940 10 20

info@ti-fisio.ch

Via Ceresio 42, Pregassona.

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+41 (0)91 229 69 80

mendrisio@ti-fisio.ch

Via Giuseppe Motta, 6a, Mendrisio