Range of motion after total knee arthroplasty: the effect of a preoperative home exercise program

This report has been verified by one or more authors of the original publication.

122 patients with non-inflammatory osteoarthritis scheduled to undergo primary unilateral TKA were randomized to complete a home exercise program 6 weeks before surgery, or not. This study aimed to determine whether this preoperative intervention would improve mobility and function following TKA. Patients experienced significant improvements in passive and active flexion, extension, and knee score from baseline following completion of the 6-week exercise program. These effects were not retained following TKA at 1 year after surgery. However, patients in the exercise group achieved 90 degrees of flexion significantly faster in the post-operative period compared to the control group and also had a shorter hospital stay.