Total Knee Replacement Relieves Pain and Improves Function for Osteoarthritis Patients

Patients with advanced knee arthritis tend to experience successful pain relief and improved function with total knee replacement surgery, according to the results of a study presented at the 2010 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthapaedic Surgeons.

The study was designed to investigate how TKR could affect functional balance and quality of life. Researchers hypothesized that osteoarthritic patients’ function is compromised not only by pain, but also balance.

A total of 63 patients participated in the study. The mean age was 73 and each patient had undergone TKR surgery. They each participated in follow-up evaluations one year after and were measured for static and dynamic balance.

Significant improvement in dynamic balance one year after surgery and significant progress in balance-determined motor tests were among the key results.

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