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PNA RESEARCH CASE LIBRARYOrthopaedic Rehabilitation · 2012

Functional and Biomechanical Outcomes After Using Biofeedback for Retraining Symmetrical Movement Patterns After Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Case Report

Jodie McClelland, Joseph Zeni, Ross M. Haley, Lynn Snyder-Mackler

Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy · 2012 · DOI: 10.2519/jospt.2012.3773

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THE CASE IN PLAIN ENGLISH

What happened?

A 57-year-old woman with unilateral knee osteoarthritis underwent total knee arthroplasty and participated in a rehabilitation protocol designed to retrain symmetrical movement patterns. The report examined functional and biomechanical changes at three and ten weeks after surgery.

Clinical findings

  • Before surgery, the patient scored below average on functional measures and walked with abnormal, asymmetric knee biomechanics.
  • The report focused on reduced knee excursion on the operated limb and excessive loading on the contralateral limb after TKA.

Rehabilitation described in the report

  • Progressive quadriceps strengthening was combined with visual, verbal and tactile biofeedback to promote symmetrical weight-bearing during strengthening and functional activities.
  • Outcomes were compared with a historical cohort of patients after TKA.

Reported outcomes

  • After symmetry retraining, knee motion and moments were restored to normal levels in the reported patient.
  • Walking showed greater and more symmetrical knee excursion than the comparison cohort.

Clinical lessons to consider

  • Assess movement symmetry after TKA in addition to pain and range of motion.
  • Visual, verbal and tactile feedback can be used to cue more symmetrical loading during functional tasks.

Limitations — what this case cannot tell us

  • Single case report with comparison to a historical cohort rather than a randomised control group.
  • The report supports a clinical rationale but cannot establish effectiveness across all TKA patients.

Original source

Jodie McClelland, Joseph Zeni, Ross M. Haley, Lynn Snyder-Mackler. “Functional and Biomechanical Outcomes After Using Biofeedback for Retraining Symmetrical Movement Patterns After Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Case Report.” Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 2012. DOI: 10.2519/jospt.2012.3773

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This page is an independently written educational summary, not a reproduction of the full paper. Check the original article for complete methods, outcome tables, references and licensing.