This study aims to investigate the effect of a preoperative telerehabilitation (PT) program on muscle strength, knee range of motion (ROM), and functional outcomes in candidates for total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Sixty patients (all women, mean age 70.53 +/- 2.7 years) scheduled for bilateral TKA participated in this study. The PT and preoperative patient education (PE) groups participated in a 3-week intensive exercise program (30 min/session, 2 times/day, 5 days/week), whereas the control group received the usual care before TKA. Quadriceps muscle strength, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), ROM of knee flexion, pain, and time up-and-go (TUG) test time were evaluated at 4 weeks preoperatively, post-interventionally, and 6 weeks after TKA. Significant differences were found in the time-by-group interaction for 60 degree/s extension peak torque (F[4,100] = 2.499, p = 0.047, partial-eta2 = 0.91), 180 degree/s extension peak torque (F[4,100] = 3.583, p = 0.009, partial-eta2 = 0.125), ROM (F[4,100] = 4.689, p = 0.002, partial-eta2p = 0.158), TUG time (F[4,100] = 7.252, p < 0.001, partial-eta2 = 0.225), WOMAC pain (F[4,100] = 9.113, p < 0.001, partial-eta2 = 0.267), WOMAC functional outcome (F[4,100] = 6.579, p < 0.001, partial-eta2 = 0.208), and WOMAC total score (F[4,100] = 10.410, p < 0.001, partial-eta2 = 0.294). The results of this study demonstrate the early benefits of a PT program in elderly female patients with end-stage osteoarthritis. The PT program improved muscle strength, ROM, and functional outcomes before TKA, which contributed to better functional recovery after TKA.

Full text (sometimes free) may be available at these link(s):      help

• PubMed Central
• DOI
• PubMed
• PDF locator
• publisher