• I Schwartz, L Kandel, A Sajina, D Litinezki, A Herman, and Y Mattan.
• Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, P.O. Box 24035, Jerusalem 91240, Israel.
• J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2012 Jun 1; 94 (6): 782-6.

AbstractWe investigated the extent to which improved balance relative to pain relief correlates with the success of total knee replacement (TKR). A total of 81 patients were recruited to the study: 16 men (19.8%) and 65 women (80.2%). Of these, 62 patients (10 men, 52 women) with a mean age of 73 (57 to 83) underwent static and dynamic assessment of balance pre-operatively and one year post-operatively. The parameters of balance were quantified using commercially available and validated equipment. Motor function and self-reported outcome were also assessed. There was a significant improvement in dynamic balance (p < 0.001) one year after TKR, and better balance correlated with improved mobility, functional balance and increased health-related quality of life. As it seems that balance, and not only pain relief, influences the success of TKR, balance skills should be better addressed during the post-operative rehabilitation of patients who undergo TKR.

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