Abstract
Purpose
Investigating the effects of femoral stem length on hip and knee muscle strength.
Methods
The study included 20 patients having undergone total knee prostheses (TKP) due to coxarthrosis and 10 healthy subjects. Of the 20 patients, 10 underwent conventional TKP and 10 had Thrust Plate Prothesis (TPP). For the assessment of the patients’ muscle strength of operated and non-operated hips (Gl. medius and Gl. Maximus) and knees (Quadriceps Femoris-QF), the Hand-Held Dynamometer (HHD) was used.
Results
A significant difference was observed in the muscle strength of Gl. medius in TPP patients and of Gl. maksimus in conventional TKP patients (p <0.05). Compared to the healthy group, only hip muscle strength decreased in TPP patients, but both hip and knee muscle strengths decreased in conventional TKP patients (p <0.05).
Conclusion
A decrease in hip and knee muscle strengths was determined in the TPP and conventional THA patients, compared to healthy subjects. Compared to the bone protective prosthetic systems (eg TPP), a significant difference is observed in the QF muscle strength in intramedullary prosthesis applications. This data may be used in planning the treatment of patients with hip arthroplasty.
