Various systematic reviews and/or meta-analyses examining the effects of pre- or postoperative exercise on body function or activity in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have been published. However, the interventional period needed to at least improve outcomes is unknown.
The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the exercise intervention period needed to effectively improve body function or activity before and after TKA in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA).
Studies published until July 2017 were included in the review. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was applied to each meta-analysis to determine the quality of the evidence.
Twenty-seven randomized controlled trials were identified. A meta-analysis indicated that exercises performed for 8 weeks after discharge in addition to standard postoperative intervention effectively improved body function as assessed using pain level; physical function, and stiffness on the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index; extension strength; active knee flexion range of motion; timed up and go test; and gait speed.
Overall, we found low- to moderate-quality evidence that an 8-week exercise period was needed after discharge to improve body function and activity in patients with knee OA undergoing TKA.