Abstract
[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between knee swelling following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and preoperative physical function (quadriceps strength and gait speed) and dietary polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) intake. [Subjects and Methods] Fourteen patients who underwent unilateral TKA participated in this prospective study. Preoperatively and on postoperative day 4, the thigh circumferences at 1 and 10 cm above the knee were measured using a inelastic tape measure. Knee swelling was defined as the increased rate of the thigh circumference. In the preoperative assessment, quadriceps strength of the operated side, gait speed, and PUFA intake values were measured using a pull-type hand-held dynamometer, the 10-meter walk time, and a food frequency questionnaire, respectively. [Results] Regarding preoperative factors related to knee swelling, a relationship was only found between knee swelling at 10 cm above the knee and the n-6 PUFA intake values (r=0.57; p=0.03). [Conclusion] Our results suggest that preoperative n-6 PUFA intake is associated with knee swelling following TKA.
