I had my left knee replaced about six months ago. I thought I was fully recovered but my adult children tell me I still walk funny. What can I do to get a more normal walking pattern?

Researchers who study the gait patterns of total knee patients say that some changes are just habits from before the operation. For example, pain and stiffness before your surgery may have caused you to step lightly.

You may have tried to soften the impact when the foot hit the ground. The result is you spend less time standing on that leg. This shortens your stride length. It may even look like you are limping.

Another possibility for your gait changes may be due to muscle weakness. The surgeon often cuts through muscle to put the implant in place. Any weakness or imbalance in the muscles of the leg may cause abnormal gait patterns.

The same is true for any loss of motion. The way you walk will change if you do not have full knee extension. And you'll need at least 110 degrees of knee flexion for a smooth transition from toe off back to heel strike.

Finally studies show that joints damaged by arthritis and altered by surgery may lose some of their proprioceptive abilities. Proprioception is the sense of joint position. Normal gait may not return until proprioception is restored.

See a physical therapist for a gait analysis. You may just need some additional exercises or activities to do at home to regain your normal walking pattern.