Creatine monohydrate supplementation does not improve functional recovery after total knee arthroplasty

To determine if creatine monohydrate supplementation can improve body composition and enhance recovery after total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Randomized trial in which creatine monohydrate or placebo was administered.

Public primary care facility.

Thirty-seven adults (17 men, 20 women) with osteoarthritis undergoing TKA. Intervention Subjects received creatine monohydrate (10 g/d x 10 d presurgery to 5 g/d x 30 d postsurgery) or placebo.

Body composition (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scanning), muscle metabolite concentrations (adenosine triphosphate, phosphocreatine, creatine, total creatine [phosphocreatine + creatine]), muscle histomorphometery, quadriceps, ankle dorsiflexion and handgrip strength, and functional capacity. All measurements were completed preoperatively (-7 d) and 30 days postoperatively, except for that of muscle metabolites. Muscle metabolite samples were collected during surgery (0 d) and at 30 days.

A significant decrease in quadriceps and ankle dorsiflexion strength was observed at 30 days postoperatively (P < .01). There were no significant effects of creatine monohydrate supplementation on any of the measured outcome variables.

Creatine monohydrate supplementation did not improve body composition or muscle strength when given before surgery, nor did it enhance recovery after TKA.