OBJECTIVE: In total knee arthroplasty, the minimally-invasive approach has been claimed to enable earlier rehabilitation because it spares the femoral quadriceps muscle. To check the influence of preserving the extensor apparatus during surgery, the strength of knee extension and flexion muscles was evaluated in patients submitted to total knee arthroplasty with different approaches. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The values of maximum torque and total work obtained by isokinetic dynamometry six months after surgery were compared for the Minimally invasive surgery group constituted of 12 individuals submitted to total knee arthroplasty by the minimally invasive surgical approach and the Control group, constituted of eight patients submitted to total knee arthroplasty by the transquadricipital approach, between January 2005 and July 2006. RESULTS: Statistical analysis of the absolute values for maximum torque and total work adjusted for body weights did not show differences between both groups. CONCLUSION: There was no difference in the extension and flexion strength of the knee muscles six months after surgery.
Arthroplasty replacement knee; Knee prosthesis; Minimally-invasive surgical procedures; Muscle strength
