NEWARK, Del., Feb 2, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- U.S. researchers say exercise to
strengthen muscles after knee replacement surgery is critical to recovering
function.
The randomized controlled trial study, published in Arthritis Care & Research,
determined the 200 patients receiving strength training showed much greater
improvement in strength and function over the next 12 months -- as measured by
tests such as stair climbing and 6-minute walks -- than 41 patients who received
conventional rehabilitation and home physical therapy.
"It sounds logical that exercises to strengthen your knee should be a component
of your post-operative physical therapy after a total knee replacement, but it's
not the convention at all," Dr. Lynn Snyder-Mackler of the University of
Delaware said in a statement.
"There are all of these old wives' tales that strength training is a detriment
to the patient and that the new knee should be treated delicately. Our study
demonstrates that intensive strength exercise as outpatient therapy is critical
to begin three to four weeks after surgery."
The trial patients, who were given six weeks of progressive strength training
two or three times a week starting four weeks after surgery showed knee function
similar to that of a healthy adult of the same age, the study said.
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Copyright 2009 by United Press International