Exercise After Knee Replacement is Critical to Recovery

orthosupersite.com
February 2009

Quadriceps exercises are critical to recovery in patients who received a knee replacement as a treatment for osteoarthritis, according to a University of Delaware study published in the February issue of Arthritis Care & Research.

In a randomized controlled trial at the University of Delaware’s Physical Therapy Clinic conducted between 2000 and 2005, 200 patients who had undergone knee replacements were given 6 weeks of progressive strength training two or three times a week, starting 4 weeks after surgery. Half of the group also received neuromuscular electrical stimulation, according to a press release.

The researchers compared those patients’ function to that of 41 patients who received conventional rehabilitation and home physical therapy. Quadriceps strength, knee range of motion and gait were measured in such tests as timed up-and-go, stair climbing and a 6-minute walk.

Patients participating in the progressive strength-training program showed significant improvement in quadriceps strength and functional performance. They also demonstrated substantially greater quadriceps strength and functional performance after 12 months than the group that underwent conventional rehabilitation . More...

Pain Care MD

Reference:

Petterson SC, Mizner RL, Stevens JE, et al. Improved function from progressive strengthening interventions after total knee arthroplasty: A randomized clinical trial with an imbedded prospective cohort. Arthrit Care Res. 2009; 61(2):174-183.

Brainstorming Brings About New Fibromyalgia Drug

Company looked for existing medication
By Terri Somers
Union-Tribune Staff Writer

January 18, 2009

The Food and Drug Administration's approval last week of a new fibromyalgia drug, Savella, brought needed relief to the Massee family in San Diego's Sabre Springs neighborhood.

Penny Massee, 59, the matriarch, chief cook, bottle washer and grandson spoiler, said she experienced “miraculous” results from the medication since first taking it in 2004 as patient No. 1 in a local clinical trial.

“My life is almost back to normal,” Massee said.

Fibromyalgia is a complicated and often debilitating chronic pain condition that afflicts an estimated 6 million Americans. It is largely misunderstood because it affects the central nervous system, but symptoms can include joint and muscle pain, sleep disruption, mood disorder and decreased physician function. When physicians look at their joints and muscles, they see nothing wrong.

The cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, but researchers believe it involves a chemical problem in the brain and spine that increases pain perception. More...

PainCareMD