[Changes in muscle torque in patients after total knee arthroplasty].
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to compare muscle torque during isokinetic knee movements of patients after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with a similar healthy group.


METHODS
43 patients were examined 3 years after primary total knee arthroplasty with an isokinetic dynamometer (Cybex 340). Torque measurements were evaluated for extension and flexion with 4 different velocities. The results were compared with a group of 43 people without knee disease. Bouth groups consist of 29 women and 14 men. The mean age was also comparable (66.4 vs. 65.8 years).


RESULTS
A mean peak torque of 65.9 Nm was measured during extension with low velocity (60 degrees /s) in the group of patients with TKA -- 84.3 % of the control group (p = 0.079). At the highest velocity the patients produced 30.2 Nm. This was 72.8 % of the control group (difference statistically significant, p = 0.006). No differences were found in the Extension/Flexion ratio between the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The deficites of knee strength in patients after TKA are more distinct in high velocities of motion.
Handel
M
M
Orthopädische Klinik Universität Regensburg, Asklepios Klinikum Bad Abbach. m.handel@asklepios.com
Riedt
S
S
Perlick
L
L
Schaumburger
J
J
Kalteis
T
T
Sell
S
S
D000368:Aged; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology; D019415:Torque; D016896:Treatment Outcome