Longitudinal Changes in Mobility Focusing on Knee Extension Strength in Elderly Women after Total Knee Arthroplasty

Abstract

[Purpose] To examine longitudinal changes in mobility from 3 to 6 months postoperatively in elderly women who underwent total knee arthroplasty, focusing on knee extension strength. [Participants and Methods] We divided elderly women after total knee arthroplasty into knee extension strength improvement and decline groups, and compared within-group changes using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score. [Results] In both groups, the JOA score at 3 months postoperatively was maintained through 6 months postoperatively. On the other hand, the total score and the pain and stair-climbing ability subscores recovered earlier in the improvement group than in the decline group. The pain and walking ability subscores improved only in the improvement group. [Conclusion] Mobility improved earlier in the improvement group, supporting the importance of individualized physical therapy aimed at improving mobility in the early postoperative period.