Background and Objective. The aim of this study was to compare the leg extensor muscle strength, the postural stability, and the fear of falling in the women with severe knee joint osteoarthritis (OA) before and after a 2-month home exercise program (HEP). Material and Methods. In total, 17 women aged 46–72 years with late-stage knee joint OA scheduled for total knee arthroplasty participated in this study before and after the 2-month HEP with strengthening, stretching, balance, and step exercises. The isometric peak torque (PT) of the leg extensors and postural stability characteristics when standing on a firm or a foam surface for 30 seconds were recorded. The fear of falling and the pain intensity (VAS) were estimated. Results. A significant increase in the PT and the PT-to-body weight (PT-to-BW) ratio of the involved leg as well as the bilateral PT and the PT-to-BW ratio was found after the 2-month HEP compared with the data before the HEP (P<0.05). The PT and the PT-to-BW ratio of the involved leg were significantly lower compared with the uninvolved leg before the HEP (P<0.05). The center of the pressure sway length (foam surface) decreased significantly after the HEP (P<0.05). Significant correlations were found between the PT of the involved leg and the bilateral PT and the fear of falling and between the PT of the involved leg and the postural sway (foam surface) before the HEP. Conclusions. After the 2-month HEP, the leg extensor muscle strength increased and the postural sway length on a foam surface decreased. The results indicate that the increased leg extensor muscle strength improves postural stability and diminishes the fear of falling in women with latestage knee joint OA.

The aim of this study was to investigate knee pain and postural stability in women with knee osteoarthritis (OA), who used postoperative home exercise program (HEP) with balance exercises. 14 women with knee OA in stage III-IV (aged 48-70 years) participated in this study before and 6 months after unilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA). All patients performed HEP during 6 months after unilateral TKA. Data of patients was compared with healthy age-matched women (controls, n=10). Postural stability characteristics (centre of pressure (COP) displacement in the anterior-posterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) direction, COP sway equivalent radius and area) during 30 s bipedal standing (eyes open) were recorded on two dynamographic force plates. Pain in knee joint was estimated with visual-analogue scale. COP displacement in AP direction of the operated and non-operated leg was greater (p<0.05) in women with knee OA before and 6 months after TKA compared to the controls. Knee joint pain in the operated leg reduced 70% after TKA. TKA together with HEP has an important role in preserving postural stability and reducing knee joint pain in women with III-IV stage gonarthrosis.

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of 8-week home exercise programme (HEP) on thigh muscle tone in patients with knee joint osteoarthritis (OA) before total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Fifteen female patients with knee joint OA aged 50-74 years who were scheduled to TKA participated in the study before and after 8-week HEP. Muscle tone (frequency of muscle oscillation), elasticity (logarithmic decrement of muscle damped oscillations) and stiffness of rectus femoris, vastus medialis and vastus lateralis muscles were measured using hand-held myotonometer Myoton 3. Self-reported assessment of knee joint function and pain was performed using Western Ontario McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Significant (p<0.05) decrease in muscle tone and stiffness of vastus lateralis muscle was noted after HEP, but no change was observed in elasticity of the muscle. Also no significant difference was found in rectus femoris and vastus lateralis muscles in either tone, elasticity or stiffness. As a result of 8-week HEP, pain intensity in knee joint decreased, whereas self-reported function of knee joint by WOMAC did not improve significantly. Preoperative performance of HEP is recommended for improvement of surrounding knee joint muscle function.

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On patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) the muscle strength, gait and everyday activities performance capacity decreased, though patients care started many years before. Patients care includes supervised physio therapy sessions and home exercise performing. Research goal was to assess the improvement in patients with knee OA motor performance with home exercise program (HEP) 8-weeks before total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Hypothesis: 8-week HEP improve legs motor performance in patients with knee OA. Ten female patients with knee OA with the mean (±SE) age of 62.7±2.3 yrs; ten age-and gender-matched healthy controls with the mean (±SE) age of 62.6±1.1 yrs. Motor performance was assessed by isometric strength of the quadriceps femoris (QF) and hamstring (HM) muscles, gait, Five-Time-Sit-to-Stand (FTSTS) test and knee active range of motion (aROM) before and after 8-week HEP. Outcome was measured by Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). After 8-week HEP, QF and HM isometric strength, knee aROM during flexion and the gait stride length for the involved leg increased (p<0.05) compared to pre-exercising level. The WOMAC score increased and FTSTS test time shortened (p<0.05) after 8-week HEP. Difference in measured parameters between the patients involved leg decreased as compared to uninvolved leg and controls. Study showed that after 8-week HEP improved involved leg thigh's muscle strength, knee aROM, and stride length. Sit to stand test performance and patient's Acta Kinesiologiae Universitatis Tartuensis, 2017. Vol. 23, pp. 74-85 https://doi.org/10.12697/akut.2017 J Sokk, M Rätsepsoo, T Kums, J Ereline, T Haviko, H Gapeyeva, M Pääsuke Motor performance in patients with knee osteoarthritis after 8-week home exercise programMotor performance in patients with knee osteoarthritis after 8-week home exercise program | 75 self-assessed condition improved. In conclusion, HEP with at least 8 weeks should be recommended for patients with knee OA before TKA.