The use of low velocity submaximal eccentric contractions of the
hamstring for recovery of full extension after total knee replacement: A
randomized controlled study
Affiliations: [a] Clinique La Pinède, Route de Peyrestortes, 66240
Saint Estéve, France | [b] Service central de rééducation, Hopital
Lapeyronie, 34295 Montpellier, Cedex 5, France
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Dr P. Codine, Clinique La
Pinède. Route de Peyrestortes, 66240 Saint Estéve, France. Tel.: +33 4
68382727; Fax: +33 4 68382600; E-mail: ppccpinede@wanadoo.fr
Abstract: Recovery of full knee extension after total knee replacement (TKR)
is necessary in order to obtain a good quality in walking. One of the means for
accomplishing a successful rehabilitation of this operation is by using
eccentric exercises of the hamstrings for increasing tendon- muscular
extensibility. The findings regarding knee extension of 30 TKR patients who
exercised this muscle group 15 min/day, 5 days/week from day10 to day30
following surgery were compared with a reference group of 30 TKR patients who
did not train similarly. The experimental group achieved a significantly better
extension but no differences were noted vis-a-vis RoM in flexion and quadriceps
and hamstrings strength. Training was well tolerated without inflammatory
reaction or hamstrings muscle pain. Therefore this technique may be prescribed
for faster recovery of knee extension following TKR.
Keywords: isokinetic, eccentric, hamstrings, total knee arthroplasty, rehabilitation
