Changes in pain and physical function during waiting time and 3 months after knee joint arthroplasty.
OBJECTIVE
To determine changes in physical and social function during a prolonged preoperative waiting period and at 3 months after total knee arthroplasty.


METHODS
Forty-three patients were evaluated on the day that surgery was decided, the day before surgery, and 3 months afterwards.


METHODS
Knee pain and function were assessed using a visual analogue scale and a functional assessment system. Isometric knee flexion extension strength and mobility were measured.


RESULTS
Knee pain and muscle strength remained unchanged during the mean waiting time of 10 (standard deviation 8) months. On the affected side, knee extension strength was 19% weaker than on the contralateral side and did not change pre-operatively. Post-operatively, knee pain decreased by 50%. Knee extension strength decreased by 26% and flexion strength by 12% compared with the initial assessments. Knee extension strength of the operated side was 42% lower than on the non-operated side. Knee flexion mobility was decreased by 8%, while the initially detected knee extension deficit of 10 degrees (SD 7) remained unchanged. The functional assessment system did not detect any changes in function.


CONCLUSIONS
Waiting time did not affect knee pain or isometric knee extension/flexion strength. Three months post-operatively, knee pain had decreased significantly, but the strength of the operated knee was significantly lower than the pre-operative level.
Vuorenmaa
Mirja
M
Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Jyväskylä Central Hospital, Keskussairaalantie 19, Jyväskylä, Sweden. mirja.vuorenmaa@ksshp.fi
Ylinen
Jari
J
Kiviranta
Ilkka
I
Intke
Annikka
A
Kautiainen
Hannu J
HJ
Mälkiä
Esko
E
Häkkinen
Arja
A