Article

After total knee arthroplasty with conventional surgical
approach, more than half of the quadriceps extension strength is lost in the
first postoperative month. Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) operated with
minimally invasive surgery (MIS) results in less operative trauma. We investigated changes in leg-extension power (LEP) in the first month after MIS
Oxford UKA and its relation to pain, knee motion, functional performance, and
knee function. METHODS: In 35 consecutive Oxford UKA patients, LEP
was measured 1 week before and 1 month after surgery together with knee motion,
knee swelling, the 30-second chair-stand test, and Oxford knee score. Assessment
of knee pain at rest and walking was done using a visual analog scale. RESULTS:
30 patients were discharged on the day after surgery, and 5 on the second day
after surgery. LEP and functional performance reached the preoperative level
after 1 month. Only slight postoperative knee swelling was observed with rapid
restoration of knee flexion and function. A high level of pain during the first
postoperative night and day fell considerably thereafter. None of the patients
needed physiotherapy supervision in the first month after discharge.
INTERPRETATION: Fast-track MIS Oxford UKA with discharge on the day after surgery
is safe and leads to early recovery of knee motion and strength even when no
physiotherapy is used.

Langue : ANGLAIS