title: Analysis of rehabilitation procedure following arthroplasty of the knee with the use of complete endoprosthesis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The use of endoprosthesis in arthroplasty requires adaptation of rehabilitation procedures in order to reinstate the correct model of gait, which enables the patient to recover independence and full functionality in everyday life, which in turn results in an improvement in the quality of life.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied 33 patients following an initial total arthroplasty of the knee involving endoprosthesis. The patients were divided into two groups according to age. The range of movement within the knee joints was measured for all patients, along with muscle strength and the subjective sensation of pain on a VAS, and the time required to complete the 'up and go' test was measured. The gait model and movement ability were evaluated. The testing was conducted at baseline and after completion of the rehabilitation exercise cycle.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant differences were noted between the groups in the tests of the range of movement in the operated joint or muscle strength acting on the knee joint. Muscle strength was similar in both groups. In the "up and go" task the time needed to complete the test was 2.9 seconds shorter after rehabilitation in Group 1 (average age 60.4), and 4.5 seconds shorter in Group 2 (average age 73.1)).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The physiotherapy procedures we applied, following arthroplasty of the knee with cemented endoprosthesis, brought about good results in both research groups of older patients.
authors.affiliation: Andrzej Frycz Modrzewski Cracow University, Cracow, Poland. magwilk@poczta.fm
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wilk-Frańczuk
authors.forename: Wiesław
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Tomaszewski
authors.forename: Jerzy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zemła
authors.forename: Henryk
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Noga
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Czamara
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004651:Employment; D006801:Humans; D007720:Knee Prosthesis; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement; D010809:Physical Fitness