Impact of preoperative balance training on postoperative functional recovery of patients after total knee arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Y.-Q. Wang, G.-B. Qu, J.-F. Yang

College of Integration of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine to Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China. www.yjf0809@swmu.edu.cn

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• Orthopedics

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies’ results on the impact of preoperative balance training on postoperative functional recovery after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) appeared to be ambiguous. Thus, this systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to investigate the effects of preoperative balance training on walking ability, balance-specific performance, and other functional indicators in elderly patients post-TKA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patient data were obtained from databases including PubMed, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, and Scopus. The inclusion criteria followed the Population-Intervention-Comparison-Outcome (PICO) principle. The assessment process involved meticulous screening, judicious data extraction, and rigorous evaluation of trial method quality, conducted by two independent researchers. Based on standardized mean differences and 95% confidence intervals, meta-analysis was performed employing a random-effects model or fixed-effects model.

RESULTS: Preoperative balance training appears to be a potentially effective intervention for enhancing the knee osteoarthritis (KOA) patients’ knee joint function (RR = 1.16, 95% CI: -2.58, 4.91), isometric knee flexion (RR = 2.49, 95% CI: -2.53, 7.50), knee extension (RR = -0.13, 95% CI: -0.45, 0.18), knee society score (KSS) (RR = 2.18, 95% CI: -1.51, 5.88), stair test (RR = -0.73, 95% CI: -1.84, 0.37), and timed up and go (RR = -1.18, 95% CI: -1.60, -0.76).

CONCLUSIONS: Compared to interventions with less emphasis on balance training, rehabilitation programs highly emphasizing balance training significantly enhance the walking ability, balance specificity, and functional indicators of elderly patients post-TKA. This includes rehabilitation programs for senior TKA patients, with a focus on activities meant to improve the sensory system, balance in particular.

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