Acute and chronic effects of early progressive resistance training on knee pain and knee joint effusion after unicompartmental knee arthroplasty

Abstract

To investigate if progressive resistance training initiated one week after unicompartment knee arthroplasty affect knee pain and knee joint effusion. Data from the progressive resistance training intervention group of a previous randomized control trail study was analysed. Knee pain was measured using a visual analogue scale, and knee circumference was used as an indication of knee joint effusion. Comparisons were made between the early (session 1+2) and late (session 15+16) phase of the 8-week intervention (chronic) and between the pre and post levels of single training sessions (acute).

Chronic effects : A significant decrease in pre- (55% SD 44% ; p=0.004) and post-training (47% SD 53% ; p = 0.002) pain was observed. Also, a significant decrease in pre- (4.1% SD 3.3% ; p = 0.0001) and post-training (2.9% SD 2.7% ; p = 0.0004) circumference was observed. Acute effects : A significant increase in pain was observed in session 5, while a significant increase in circumference was observed in session 6-8, 10 and 13-16. Progressive resistance training initiated in the early post-operative phase following unicompartment knee arthroplasty does not increase the pain level immediately after a training session, despite frequent increases in joint effusion. Furthermore, pre- and post levels of pain and joint effusion dropped significantly following the intervention period.