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Comparison of knee extensor strength between limbs in individuals with bilateral total knee replacement
Mark D Rossi1, Lee E Brown, Michael Whitehurst
1Department of Exercise Science and Health, Florida Atlantic University, 2912 College Ave., Davie, FL 33314, USA. mark.rossi@eudoramail.com
Objectives:
To determine and compare force production of the knee extensors between limbs after bilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA).
Design:
Two repeated-measures designs (2 factors: limb, time) assessing for differences in strength between limbs over 3 times at 2 different testing speeds.
Setting:
Private and institutional practice.
Participants:
Fourteen volunteers (6 men, 8 women; mean age +/- standard deviation, 74.57 +/- 5.5 y; height, 169.91 +/- 9.43 cm; weight, 76.42 +/- 9.85 kg) with bilateral TKA. Open-chain knee extensor strength was measured in both legs before surgery and 30 and 60 days after TKA at 60 degrees /s and 180 degrees /s.
Intervention:
Rehabilitation 3 times weekly for 8 weeks. Treatment consisted of gait, transfer training, stationary cycle work, and a progressive resistance-training program.
Main Outcome Measure:
Peak torque measured isokinetically.
Results:
Limb by time interaction was not significant for either 60 degrees /s (F(2,26) =.75, P =.351) or 180 degrees /s (F(2,26) =.78, P =.393). A significant main effect of time was found at 60 degrees /s (F(2,26) = 14.22, P =.0001) and 180 degrees /s (F(2,26) = 10.47, P =.003).
Conclusions:
During the first month after TKA, bilateral knee extensor force-production decreased significantly compared with preoperative force production.
