The Relation Between Muscle Strength and Quality of Life in Patients with Total Knee Replacement
Abstract
Objectives. Investigation of the clinical parameters, quality of life and muscle strength isokinetics and their correlation in patients with total knee prosthesis.
Material and methods. 20 patients having a cemented total knee arthroplasty for at least 6 months were compared with 20 healthy volunteers of similar age. Assessment tools included the Hospital score for Special Surgery (for clinical evaluation), Short Form 36 Health Survey score (for the quality of life) while strength of knee flexors and extensors was evaluated by the isokinetic method, at angular velocities of 90°/sec and 180°/sec.
Results. There was a significant decrease in muscle strength, both in extensors and flexors, in the prosthesis patients group, as compared with controls. Although the values recorded in the clinical and in the quality of life scores also had a significant decrease compared with controls, they were not significantly correlated with any of the parameters of isokinetic strength evaluation.
Conclusions. For proper follow-up of the recovery after total knee replacement, the patients’ evaluation should also contain the assessment of objective parameters of muscle strength, which are neither included in the clinical assessment scores, nor in those of quality of life. In knee prothetic patients there is a persistent muscular strength deficiency, even after a long time period, that should be addressed by a specific strengthening rehabilitation program.