From the study:
“Fourteen patients with unilateral TKA were included from a fast-track orthopedic arthroplasty unit. They received rehabilitation including progressive strength training of the operated leg (leg press and knee-extension), using relative loads of 10 repetition maximum with three training sessions per week for 2 weeks. Rehabilitation was commenced 1 or 2 days after TKA. At each training session, knee pain, knee joint effusion and training load were recorded. Isometric knee-extension strength and maximal walking speed were measured before the first and last session.”
“The training load increased progressively (p < 0.0001). Patients experienced only moderate knee pain during the strength training exercises, but knee pain at rest and knee joint effusion (p < 0.0001) were unchanged or decreased over the six training sessions. Isometric knee-extension strength and maximal walking speed increased by 147 and 112%, respectively.”
“Progressive strength training initiated immediately after TKA seems feasible, and increases knee-extension strength and functional performance without increasing knee joint effusion or knee pain.”
My comments:
This study will probably change my practice, at least a little. With my background in weightlifting I have always considered myself more aggressive than average with my rehabilitation programs, but even I always started my patients off with the standard post-op exercises: heel slides, quad sets, straight leg raises and ankle pumps, along with PRE hip strengthening exercises that don’t directly affect the knee. I always waited until their follow-up appointment to add in leg presses and resistive leg extensions, etc, which if this study proves correct is still being overly cautious.
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