The effect of whole-body vibration in osteopenic patients after total knee arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial.

Abstract

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is an important treatment for knee osteoarthritis, but the result of whole-body vibration (WBV) in knee function rehabilitation and bone loss with osteopenia was unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to study whether low-frequency, low-amplitude WBV can improve the clinical outcome of knee osteoarthritis. This study was randomized and included 67 osteopenic patients (55-90years, 85% women) for TKA surgery (control group N = 32, WBV group N = 35). All selected patients after TKA surgery tested clinical results, such as knee function and bone mass in baseline, 3months after surgery, and 6months after surgery. Compared to the control group, the WBV group improved pain scores, thigh circumference, lower limb muscle strength, joint activity, and joint function in 6months after surgery. WBV intervention also improves bone density in the spine, the microstructure of the radius and tibia, and the bone turnover marker. At 3months after TKA surgery, the WBV group had no significant effect on knee function and bone loss. Whole-body vibration for osteopenic patients with knee arthroplasty showed good therapeutic results in 6months after TKA surgery, but the long-term therapeutic effect still needs to be further observed.