Improving Function After Knee Arthroplasty With Weight-Bearing Biofeedback
| Status: | Completed |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Orthopedic |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Orthopedics / Podiatry |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 50 - 85 |
| Updated: | 4/21/2016 |
| Start Date: | January 2011 |
| End Date: | December 2012 |
The purpose of this study is to determine if rehabilitation using weight-bearing biofeedback
training following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is more effective than standard
rehabilitation methods in promoting weight-bearing symmetry through the lower limbs during
functional activities such as sit-to-stand transfers and walking. Secondary outcomes of
interest include functional measures and internal moment at the hip, knee, and ankle joints
during sit-to-stand and walking.
training following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is more effective than standard
rehabilitation methods in promoting weight-bearing symmetry through the lower limbs during
functional activities such as sit-to-stand transfers and walking. Secondary outcomes of
interest include functional measures and internal moment at the hip, knee, and ankle joints
during sit-to-stand and walking.
People who have had knee replacement surgery typically have worse physical function compared
to healthy people of similar age. This problem occurs despite completion of standard
rehabilitation programs. One reason for less-than-optimal restoration of physical function
is that standard rehabilitation does not effectively address habitual movement patterns that
persist after surgery. These movement patterns are characterized by patients placing less
weight on their surgical leg compared to their non-surgical leg after surgery. This
asymmetrical movement pattern has been identified by researchers and shown to not completely
resolve after knee replacement surgery, even though the surgery reliably reduces knee pain.
The persistence of asymmetrical weight-bearing during every day activity may limit the
stimulus needed for full recovery by the muscles and joints of the surgical leg. By
promoting increased loading of the surgical leg, a greater stimulus can be provided to
promote better functional recovery, compared with standard rehabilitation. As a result,
people may subsequently move more symmetrically with improved recovery of physical function.
Improved function would in turn promote the person's ability to participate in life events,
limiting disability. Considering that over 500,000 knee replacement surgeries occur in the
United States each year, maximizing functional recovery and limiting disability following
surgery are important goals.
The investigators propose a new method of exercising following knee replacement surgery.
This method involves using a commercially available game system to promote "re-loading" of
the surgical limb. The game system has games designed to allow the person playing to move
objects or characters on a screen by shifting his/her weight from one leg to another while
standing on an instrumented "balance board". The investigators have developed an exercise
program to promote shifting weight to the surgical limb, by choosing appropriate games and
manipulating the goals of those games. It is the investigators' hypothesis that early
application of this surgical leg "re-loading" intervention after knee replacement will
result in meaningful improvement in physical function by improving movement symmetry.
to healthy people of similar age. This problem occurs despite completion of standard
rehabilitation programs. One reason for less-than-optimal restoration of physical function
is that standard rehabilitation does not effectively address habitual movement patterns that
persist after surgery. These movement patterns are characterized by patients placing less
weight on their surgical leg compared to their non-surgical leg after surgery. This
asymmetrical movement pattern has been identified by researchers and shown to not completely
resolve after knee replacement surgery, even though the surgery reliably reduces knee pain.
The persistence of asymmetrical weight-bearing during every day activity may limit the
stimulus needed for full recovery by the muscles and joints of the surgical leg. By
promoting increased loading of the surgical leg, a greater stimulus can be provided to
promote better functional recovery, compared with standard rehabilitation. As a result,
people may subsequently move more symmetrically with improved recovery of physical function.
Improved function would in turn promote the person's ability to participate in life events,
limiting disability. Considering that over 500,000 knee replacement surgeries occur in the
United States each year, maximizing functional recovery and limiting disability following
surgery are important goals.
The investigators propose a new method of exercising following knee replacement surgery.
This method involves using a commercially available game system to promote "re-loading" of
the surgical limb. The game system has games designed to allow the person playing to move
objects or characters on a screen by shifting his/her weight from one leg to another while
standing on an instrumented "balance board". The investigators have developed an exercise
program to promote shifting weight to the surgical limb, by choosing appropriate games and
manipulating the goals of those games. It is the investigators' hypothesis that early
application of this surgical leg "re-loading" intervention after knee replacement will
result in meaningful improvement in physical function by improving movement symmetry.
Inclusion Criteria:
- unilateral total knee arthroplasty, body mass index <40 kg/m^2
Exclusion Criteria:
- neurological, vascular or cardiac problems that limited physical function,
contralateral knee pain greater than 2/10 on a numerical pain rating scale, severe
osteoarthritis or other orthopaedic conditions in the non-operated lower extremity
that limited function, sub-acute inpatient rehabilitation following unilateral total
knee arthroplasty, uncontrolled diabetes, smoking or drug abuse, living >45 minutes
away from the outpatient rehabilitation clinic, surgical complication requiring an
altered course of rehabilitation, inability to walk 30 meters without an assistive
device or inability to rise from a chair without use of arms
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