Walking patterns of men with unilateral surgical hip fusion.

The gait of men with unilateral hip fusion is somewhat slow, asymmetrical, and arrhythmic as compared with that of normal men. Compensation for absent hip motion is accomplished by increased transverse and sagittal rotation of the pelvis, increased motion in the sound hip, and increased flexion of the knee throughout the stance phase on the fused side. Relationships between the fusion position, certain physical traits, and walking performance suggest that the best gait can be expected in young patients who have free motion of the lumbar spine, the sound hip, and the knee on the side of fusion, and who have equal limb lengths and a hip fused in a position that does not include excessive adduction.