Quadriceps strength and volitional activation before and after total knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis

Abstract

Exercise regimens that emphasize strong muscle contraction and clinical tools that facilitate muscle activation like biofeedback and neuromuscular electrical stimulation may be necessary to reverse the quadriceps activation failure and weakness in the patients with knee OA that worsens after TKA. The failure of current rehabilitation regimens to directly address activation deficits within the first months after surgery may explain the persistent quadriceps weakness in patients after TKA.