Influence of an Anti-gravity Treadmill on Functional Outcome in Non-operatively Treated Pelvic Fractures - a Pilot Study

Influence of an Anti-gravity Treadmill on Functional Outcome in Non-operatively Treated Pelvic Fractures - a Pilot Study

Non-operative treatment of pelvic fractures is possible. Immobilisation implies different adjustment processes. Patients with pelvic ring fractures and partial weight bearing have to obtain theses. The aim of this pilot study was to prove the additional effect of the anti-gravity treadmill in patients with non-operatively treated pelvic fractures.

We prospectively included patients with non-operatively treated pelvic fractures as the intervention group (IG) and healthy volunteers of different age, sex and body mass index (BMI) as the reference group (RG).

Patients of the IG participated in a training session every three days with an anti-gravity treadmill (Picture 1, alterG®, www.alterg.com) for a total of 40 days in addition to physiotherapy, lymph drainage massage and manual therapy.

Patients were evaluated on three successive dates: Baseline (S1), after mobilization without crutches with full weight-bearing (20 days, S2) and after 40 days (S3)

Inclusion Criteria:

• patients with non-operatively treated pelvic fractures

Exclusion Criteria:

• pregnancy, neuromuscular disorders, preexisting muscle atrophy