Postoperative Factors Affecting Walking and Stair Climbing Ability of Patients after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Function-preserving Total Knee Arthroplasty

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to identify postoperative factors that affect the ability to walk and climb stairs after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with preserved anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) function. [Participants and Methods] The participants were 40 postoperative patients with ACL function-preserving TKA. The postoperative walking ability was measured by the timed up and go test (TUG), and stair climbing ability was measured by the timed stair test (TST). The postoperative factors were knee joint angle and muscle strength. [Results] The factor affecting walking ability was knee joint extension muscle strength (p<0.01, R²=0.34), and the factor affecting stair climbing ability was also knee joint extension muscle strength (p<0.01, R²=0.11). [Conclusion] Postoperative knee extensor strength is a factor influencing the ability to walk and climb stairs after TKA with preserved ACL function.