ABSTRACT
Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of an additional close-kinetic-chain exercise program (CKC-PT), in conjunction with the standard physiotherapy intervention (TKA-PT), on the general health status, functionality, balance conï¬dence, and postoperative falls of knee osteoarthritic patients who had undergone total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Patients and methods Thirty community-dwellers, aged >65 years, were randomized into equal groups. The Greek versions of the SF-36 version1.0 (SF-36v1.0-Gr), WOMAC® (WOMAC®-Gr), Activities-speciï¬c Balance Conï¬dence scale (ABC-Greek), Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and Berg Balance Scale were assessed preoperatively and twice postoperatively (7th week and 12th month). Non-parametric (Mann-Whitney test) and parametric (two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) model and student t-test) analyses were used to compare the percentage changes in all variables. Results The CKC-PT group reported better (%) functional improvement (WOMAC®-Gr Physical- Function subscale) and higher (%) balance confidence (ABS-Greek) at the seventh week and twelfth month as compared to TKA-PT (p<0.05). No other statistically significant differences were observed. Conclusions The implementation of a close-kinetic-chain exercise program, in addition to standard physiotherapy, may significantly increase both the functionality and balance conï¬dence of patients who have undergone TKA. Further studies are needed to verify these findings.
