Is it necessary to perform prehabilitation exercise for patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

ABSTRACTObjectives: This study was designed to test whether it is necessary to perform prehabilitation exercise for patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA).Methods: Literatures were identified from Pubmed, Clinicaltrials, Cochrane library, and SpringerLink. All studies that compared a prehabilitation exercise group with control group before TKA were included. The primary outcome was length of hospital stay. Secondary outcomes were quadriceps strength and functional ability in short term (1.5 to 3 months) after TKA.Results: There was significant difference in the length of hospital stay, knee range of motion (ROM) and sit-to-stand test (P＜0.05). No statistical differences were found in quadriceps strength, 6-minute walk, ROM, knee extension, knee flexion, WOMAC pain, WOMAC function, WOMAC stiffness between the two groups in short term after TKA (P＞0.05).Conclusions: Our meta-analysis found that prehabilitation exercise was effective in reducing length of hospital stay. Importantly, it was an effe...