Knee strength after total knee arthroplasty

Fifty-two knees in normal healthy subjects and 32 knees more than 2 years after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) were evaluated. Average isometric extension peak torque values in TKA patients were reduced by up to 30.7% (P=.01). Isometric flexion peak torque values in patients with TKA were, on average, 32.2% lower than those from control subjects throughout the motion arc (P=.004). Knee Society Functional Scores were positively correlated to the average isometric extension peak torque (r=0.57; P=.004) and negatively correlated to the average isometric hamstring to quadriceps (H/Q) ratio (r=-0.78, P<.0001). Relatively greater quadriceps strength was associated with a better functional score. Older TKA patients (>/=70 years) generated lower isometric extension peak torque values in terminal extension than younger TKA patients (>24.2%; P=.05). Higher body mass index (BMI) was associated with relative quadriceps weakness (r=0.44; P=.007). These results suggest that more thorough rehabilitation after TKA would improve functional outcomes.