26dkou292 10.3205/26dkou292 urn:nbn:de:0183-26dkou2923 Meeting Abstract Tondelli Tondelli Timo T

Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Schweiz Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, Basel, Schweiz

author Nüesch Nüesch Corina C

Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Schweiz Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, Basel, Schweiz

author Imhoff Imhoff Florian F

Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Schweiz Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, Basel, Schweiz

author Egloff Egloff Christian C

Department of Clinical Research, University of Basel, Basel, Schweiz Department of Knee Surgery, Schulthess Clinic, Zürich, Schweiz

author Mündermann Mündermann Annegret A

Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Schweiz Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, Basel, Schweiz Department of Teaching, Research and Development, Schulthess Clinic, Zürich, Schweiz

author Ismailidis Ismailidis Petros P

Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Schweiz Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, Basel, Schweiz

author German Medical Science GMS Publishing House

Düsseldorf

610 20261020 engl This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. Dieser Artikel ist ein Open-Access-Artikel und steht unter den Lizenzbedingungen der Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (Namensnennung). M0659 292 Deutsche Gesellschaft für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie Deutsche Gesellschaft für Orthopädie und Orthopädische Chirurgie Deutsche Gesellschaft für Unfallchirurgie Berufsverband für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie Deutscher Kongress für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie (DKOU 2026) Abstracts; AG EbM | Klinische Ergebnisse und Patient-Reported Outcomes nach Knie-TEP Berlin 20261020 20261023 DKOU26_Abs_2404 TextObjectives and questions: Deficits in lower extremity strength and postural balance are common in knee osteoarthritis (OA) and may persist after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). While TKA reliably improves pain and patient reported outcome measures (PROMs), many patients continue to experience residual functional impairments that may restrict activity participation and elevate fall risk. The magnitude of post-TKA deficits in strength and balance as well as their interrelationship are unclear.Material and methods: Twenty-nine patients 1 year post-TKA and 32 controls were included in this study. Participants underwent balance testing (Biodex Balance System), bilateral lower extremity strength measurement (isokinetic knee flexion/extension, isometric hip abduction, normalized to body mass), and PROMs (Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Score KOOS) were documented. The limb symmetry index (LSI) was calculated. Group differences were tested with rank-sum tests (p<0.05) and multivariate regression analysis (Ordinary least squares). The balance–strength relationship was analysed by Spearman’s rank correlation. Median and range are reported.Results: The TKA group had a median age of 71 (52–89) years, body mass 80 (59–115) kg, BMI 26 (19–37) kg/m². The healthy group had a median age of 64 (48–80) years, body mass 78 (46–107) kg, BMI 25 (19–34) kg/m². Balance scores did not differ. Normalized knee extension (-38%), flexion (-30%), and hip abduction (-24%) strength were lower in TKA patients for both legs. In patients, extension, flexion and abduction strength were 0.99 (0.32–2.30) Nm/kg, 0.73 (0.32–1.21) Nm/kg and 0.47 (0.21–1.28) Nm/kg, respectively. For control subjects extension, flexion and abduction strength were 1.59 (1.02–2.51) Nm/kg, 1.05 (0.63–1.77) Nm/kg, 0.62 (0.32–0.92) Nm/kg, respectively. Multivariate regression confirmed strength differences after adjusting for age and body mass. Knee-related quality of life (KOOS QoL) was lower in TKAs (-25%). Post-TKA balance and strength correlated weakly for TKA (min rho=-0.28; p>0.15) and controls (min rho=-0.30; p>0.09).Discussion and conclusions: One year post-TKA, lower extremity strength deficits persist despite comparable balance. Weak correlations suggest balance may recover independently of strength. These findings support continued, targeted strength-focused therapeutic exercise. The large variability in strength among patients indicates that quantitative lower extremity strength measurements should be performed to identify individuals who will benefit from long-term training. 0 0 0 0