Muscle-specific changes of lower extremities in the early period after total knee arthroplasty: Insight from tensiomyography

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate changes in i) muscle contractile properties of both lower extremities by using tensiomyography (TMG); ii) patients’ physical function, and iii) electromechanical efficiency (EME) of the gastrocnemius medialis muscle in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients from before to one-month after TKA. METHODS: Twenty-six patients scheduled for TKA were included. RESULTS: The significant muscle*time interaction was found for sustain time and maximal radial displacement (Dm) (η(2)≥0.219) only, whereas time*leg interaction was found for time delay and Dm (η(2)≥0.254) only. Post hoc analysis showed a significant decrease of Dm of vastus medialis and increase in contraction time (Tc) of both the vastus lateralis and rectus femoris muscles of the involved leg, respectively. Furthermore, reduction of knee extensors (-55.4%) and flexors (-22.2%) strength, timed up and go (-26.9%), 30s chair stand (-28.9%) and EME (-38.2%) was observed. CONCLUSION: TKA treatment altered physical function as well as contractile properties of the main skeletal muscles surrounding the involved joint in the early period after surgery; however, alterations showed to be both limb and muscle-specific. This might provide clinicians and physiotherapist with additional information on how to adapt rehabilitation to the needs of an individual patient.