ABSTRACT
To evaluate the effectiveness of a pre- and post-operative exercise protocols and intensive functional rehabilitation [IFR] program on locomotory capacity in the first three months after primary total knee arthroplasty [TKA] for severe osteoarthritis. The study was conducted on 20 patients-with severe osteoarthritis knees who underwent TKA. They were divided randomly into 2 equal groups. The first group received an intensive rehabilitation program while the second received ordinary rehabilitation program. Before program start all patients were subjected to clinical examination. Postural assessment was done to all patients twice pre-operatively and 12 weeks post-operatively using Computerized Dynamic Posturography including motor control, adaptation and sensory organization tests, The ordinary rehabilitation group showed a statistically significant increase in post-operative weight symmetry p<0.05 compared with normal. There were statistically significant high values in both groups in pre- and post-operative strength symmetry p<0.05 compared with normal. Adaptation test toes down showed a statistically significant difference from normal in both groups of rehabilitation in all trials post-operatively, and in intensive rehabilitation group in trial 1, and trial 3, while in ordinary rehabilitation program in trial 2 pre-operatively p<0.05. Amplitude scaling f with affected side of the lower limb, showed a statistically significant decrease in ordinary rehabilitation group in small / and medium f. p<0.05. Intensive rehabilitation group showed no significant change in comparison to normal. There was more balance affection in toes up position in ordinary rehabilitation group. There was better balance in intensive rehabilitation group on affected side