The Effect of Exercises of Different Intensity Applied After Total Knee Arthroplasty on Exercise-Induced Hypoalgesia

The Effect of Exercises of Different Intensity Applied After Total Knee Arthroplasty on Exercise-Induced Hypoalgesia: Randomised Controlled Trial

The aim of this study was to investigate whether exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH) is present following exercise in patient after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and if so, if it changes with exercise intensity. A repeated measures and single-blinded randomized study were done. Thirty-eight patients 24 hours after TKA were randomly assigned to either low intensity exercises (LIE) group or high intensity exercises (HIE) group. An exercise programs lasted for five days during the hospitalization period. Pain severity was assessed by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) (0-10 mm). Pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) were measured over quadriceps and biceps brachii and muscles immediately before and after exercise.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate whether exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH) is present following exercise in patient after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and if so, if it changes with exercise intensity.

Methods : A repeated measures and single-blinded randomized study were done. Thirty-eight patients 24 hours after TKA were randomly assigned to either low intensity exercises (LIE) group or high intensity exercises (HIE) group. An exercise programs lasted for five days during the hospitalization period. Pain severity was assessed by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) (0-10 mm). Pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) were measured over quadriceps and biceps brachii and muscles immediately before and after exercise.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients had undergone primary unilateral total knee replacement surgery
• Patients hospitalized for at least seven days were enrolled in this study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Medically stable patients who used glucocorticoids or strong analgesic drugs
• Patients had post-traumatic OA, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis, cognitive, hearing and visual problems Patients were diagnosed chronic pain condition were excluded from the study.