Background: In total knee arthroplasty (TKA) recipients, losses in quadriceps� strength in the immediate postoperative\nperiod are related to physical function and mobility. Therefore, this period should be a target of rehabilitation\nto prevent strength losses in the short-term. This case report describes the early post-operative changes in muscle\nand physical function associated with a Tai Chi inspired rehabilitation program.\nCase Description: A 62 year-old woman presented with bilateral OA and underwent unilateral TKA surgery in\nher most symptomatic knee. The subject participated in one pre-operative study visit, and a 6-week, Tai Chi inspired\nrehabilitation program from 4 to 10 wks post-operatively. Outcome measures, evaluated at 4 wks, 10 wks, and 6\nmonths post-operatively, included maximum voluntary isometric contraction, lower extremity power, quadriceps force\ncontrol, 6-minute walk test, timed up-and-go test, stair climbing test, gait speed, SF-36 Total Health Status Survey,\nand the lower extremity functional scale.\nOutcomes: In the surgical leg, the subject improved in all muscle and physical function measures from the\npre-operative to 6-month post-operative study visit. Self-report outcome measures also improved from pre- to postoperative\nstudy visits, with the exception of the mental component summary of the SF-36 at 6 months.\nDiscussion: The subject exhibited clinically relevant improvements in muscle and physical function in the\nsurgical leg, suggesting that the Tai Chi inspired rehabilitation program may be an effective and safe addition to\nrange of motion, stretching and gait exercises in the early post-operative period. These results support further\nexploration of this rehabilitation approach in future trials.
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