A Comparative Analysis of Two Types of Exercise on Outcomes Following Total Knee Arthroplasty

• Gait Abnormality Rating Scale (GARS) [ Time Frame: 6 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  The GARS is a rating of gait quality. The participant is videotaped walking 10 meters from front, back, left, and right views. No type of walking aid is allowed. Standardized instructions are read to the participant including that he/she should walk at his/her usual speed. At a later time the videotape is viewed to rate gait on a four point (0-3) Likert type scale. Zero is gait without deviations and 48 is greatest amount of gait deviations.
• Change from Baseline in Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) Pain at six weeks [ Time Frame: 6 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  The VAS Pain is a 10 cm horizontal line with the words "severe moderate slight" spread out along the whole length. The end points are labeled "Pain as bad as it could be" and "No pain". A pencil is given to the participant to mark his/her answer. Standardized instructions are read to the participant. The test is scored by a number from 0 to 100 as measured in mm along the line with zero being no pain and 100 being pain as bad as it could get.
• Change from Baseline in Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) at six weeks [ Time Frame: 6 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  The TUG records the time in seconds needed to stand from sitting, walk 3 meters, return, and sit into the chair. A standard chair with armrests is used. Assistive devices are allowed but no physical assistance is given. Standardized instructions are read to the participant. A practice walk through is given. Due to the possibility of fatigue the faster of the two times is recorded.
• Gait Velocity [ Time Frame: 6 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  The participant walks while being videotaped. Standardized instructions are read to the participant when he/she is told that he/she should walk at his/her usual pace to the end of a 10 meter walkway. A side view is used. The videotape is viewed later for scoring. The acceleration and deceleration time is excluded by recording only the time taken to walk across the central 4 meters. This time and the 4 meter distance are used to calculate velocity in meters per second.
• Change from Baseline in Short Form-36 (SF-36) at six weeks [ Time Frame: 6 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  The Short Form-36 (SF-36) is a 36 item paper questionnaire which measures general health. Standarized instructions read to the participant prior to him/her filling it out. Scores range from 0-100, with 100 being highest level of physical and mental health.
• Change from Baseline in Stair Climb Test at six weeks [ Time Frame: 6 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  The time used to climb a flight of 12 steps and descend is recorded. Standardized instructions are read to the participant. Time is recorded in seconds. A practice walk through is given. Due to the possibility of fatigue the faster of the two times is recorded.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of two exercise programs, using low velocity (LV) and high velocity (HV) contractions, on outcomes of individuals who have undergone total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The experimental hypothesis was that individuals performing HV exercise, compared to LV, would exhibit superior outcomes.

The most effective type of exercise has not been identified for individuals who undergo total knee arthroplasty (TKA). High velocity (HV) exercise when compared to low velocity (LV) exercise produces greater gains in power and certain functional activities in older adults. The use of HV exercise for patients who undergo TKA has not been investigated.

• Experimental: High Velocity Exercise
  The high velocity exercise group performed the concentric contraction phase of resisted exercise in one second or less. This group performed sit to stand exercise, walking, curbs, and stairs as fast as was comfortable without an increased limp. Other exercises were performed at the participant preferred rate.
  Intervention: Behavioral: Exercise
• Active Comparator: Low Velocity exercise
  The low velocity exercise group performed the concentric contraction phase of resisted exercise in two seconds. This group performed sit to stand exercise, walking, curbs, stairs, and other exercises at the participant preferred rate.
  Intervention: Behavioral: Exercise

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults aged 60- 89 years of age.
• primary unilateral TKA 10-21 days prior to the outpatient PT evaluation
• received inpatient rehabilitation at Helen Hayes Hospital

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any other lower extremity joint or back pain (not inclusive of recent Total knee arthroplasty) rated greater than four out of ten with weight-bearing
• any other lower extremity joint replacement surgery
• diagnosis of osteoporosis with history of fractures, uncontrolled hypertension, unstable cardiac or pulmonary problems, neurological disease affecting motor control, uncontrolled diabetes
• chest pain or shortness of breath on stair-climbing
• requirement of human assistance to walk in addition to the ambulation device
• inability to follow instructions to perform testing and/or exercise,
• participants who stated that they would not be available to complete 12 exercise sessions
• individual adherence with performance of a home exercise program (HEP) less than five of seven days at the end of the treatment period