Influence of home exercise programme on thigh muscle tone and function of knee joint before total knee arthroplasty

Abstract

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.