TheraBand® exercises for knee osteoarthritis using have been shown in several studies to reduce pain and increase strength and function (Thomas et al. 2002, Topp et al. 2002). Dr. Robert Topp and his colleagues at the University of Louisville have been investigating the role of exercise in knee arthritis patients for several years. Most recently, they have researched the effects of “prehabilitation,” which are exercises performed before total knee replacement surgery. The results of their program have been published in several articles and featured on the Academy blog.
Dr. Topp’s colleague, Dr. Kent Brown recently published a case report on a 69 year old patient who underwent two separate total knee replacement surgeries. Her first surgery on the right knee was preceded with “usual” care (no prehab), while her left knee replacement was preceded by 4 weeks of prehab. The prehab program focused on knee strengthening exercises using TheraBand resistance bands.
After prehab, the patient had significant improvements in function and strength before and after her left knee surgery compared to her previous non-prehab right knee replacement. The authors suggested at an extended period of prehab (greater than 4 weeks) would have resulted in even more improvement. This case study supports the effectiveness of pre-operative exercises for total knee replacement in reducing pain and increasing function compared to usual care.
Brown K, et al. Prehabilitation versus usual care before total knee arthroplasty: A case report comparing outcomes within the same individual. Physiother Theory Pract. 2010 Aug;26(6):399-407.
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