Journal of strength and conditioning research
-
J Strength Cond Res · Mar 2009
Predictors of functional task performance among patients scheduled for total knee arthroplasty.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common health problem affecting more than 7 million Americans. Declines in strength, flexibility, and knee joint pain reduce functional ability and contribute to decisions for total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This study describes predictors of functional ability among knee patients scheduled for TKA and proposes a preoperative exercise program to improve functional ability. ⋯ These regression equations identified flexion strength of the nonsurgical knee as predicting 24-45% of the variance of functional ability assessments that involved independent or consecutive knee movement. Other variables that, to a lesser degree, predicted performance of the functional ability assessments included knee joint ROM and body mass index. Because functional ability after TKA is strongly dependent on presurgical functional ability, future investigators may wish to examine the impact of improving presurgical functional ability of TKA patients through resistance training, particularly closed-kinetic chain exercises that transfer fewer forces through the knee joint.