Authors
Belinda Trobec, Gianluca Canton, Lorenzo Scarpi, Giulia Sgubin, Edoardo De Pol, Michelangelo Scordo, Alex Buoite Stella, Manuela Deodato, Luigi Murena, Chiara Ratti
Published in
Disability and rehabilitation. Pages 1-8. Jul 29, 2026. Epub Jul 29, 2026.
Abstract
While previous research has established the clinical applicability of anti-gravity treadmill (AGT)-assisted rehabilitation after lower-limb fracture fixation, longitudinal biomechanical recovery in patients with complex AO/OTA C3 tibial plateau and pilon fractures remains poorly understood.
This prospective single-center cohort study included 17 adults (18-65 years) who underwent ORIF for AO/OTA C3 tibial plateau (n = 8) or pilon fractures (n = 9), followed by a structured AGT-assisted rehabilitation program. Independence in activities of daily living (ADLs), return to work and sport, radiographic outcomes, and gait analysis were assessed at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months.
Pain, ADLs, weight-bearing, and gait symmetry improved throughout follow-up. No mechanical complications, loss of reduction, or hardware failure were observed. ADL independence was achieved by 94% of patients at 6 weeks and by all at 3 months. Pilon fractures showed earlier restoration of loading symmetry, whereas tibial plateau fractures reached comparable values by 6 months. Gait analysis demonstrated progressive normalization of loading symmetry.
This pilot study provides preliminary longitudinal clinical and laboratory-based biomechanical data on recovery after complex tibial plateau and pilon fractures managed within an AGT-assisted rehabilitation pathway. However, without a control group, the observed improvements cannot be attributed specifically to AGT.
PMID:
42522462
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 29 Jul 2026.
Read full publication at:
Please sign in
to see all details.
Advertisement
Stats
- Recommendations n/a n/a positive of 0 vote(s)
- Views 7
- Comments 0