[Rehabilitation exercises after single total knee replacement: a report of 38 cases]

To study the methods and effects of rehabilitation exercises after single total knee replacement (TKR).

From May 2007 to May 2009, 38 patients with knee joint diseases were treated with artificial total knee replacement, and the postoperative rehabilitation training was conducted. Among the patients, 20 were males and 18 were females, ranging in age from 50 to 82 years, with an average of 65 years. Course of diseases ranged from 4 to 35 years. Thirty patients were traumatic arthritis, 5 patients were osteoarthritis, and 3 patients were rheumatoid arthritis. Clinical symptoms were knee joint pain and dysfunction; some patients had morning stiffness and bone hypertrophy, a few of them accompanied with knee varus or valgus, quadriceps atrophy. X-ray films showed narrow joint space, osteophyte, cystic changes, and subchondral bone sclerosis.

All the patients were followed up ranging from 6 to 12 months. According to HSS knee score system, the mean scores were 40.22 +/- 7.39 points before operation, and 87.47 +/- 6.60 points after rehabilitation. The difference was statistically significant (t = 31.56, P < 0.01).

Rehabilitation training after single total knee replacement is the key to ensure the effects of the operation. The rehabilitation training in our hospital has satisfactory results, and is worth to popularize.