Partial weight bearing after surgery for fractures of the lower extremity--is it achievable?

Partial weight bearing is a generally accepted principle of rehabilitation following trauma or reconstructive surgery of the lower extremity. Individual dynamic loads during partial weight bearing to a given load level of 200 N were compared in 23 patients who had sustained a fracture of the lower extremity and 11 healthy volunteers using dynamic sole pressure measurements. Excessive dynamic loading compared with the statically pre-tested 200 N level was observed in all groups.