As I was browsing through news stories today, I came across an interesting article regarding total knee replacements. According to a recent report from the University of Delaware that was published in Physical Therapy, the scientific journal of the American Physical Therapy Association, patients who have undergone total knee arthroplasty need to re-learn proper technique when it comes to moving from a seated position to a standing position.

I will post a link to the article below, but I wanted to paraphrase the study's findings here for you. Basically, the study evaluated 12 patients who had undergone total knee arthroplasty. (TKA) What they found was that most of the patients the study evaluated had changed the way they move from a sitting position to a standing position because of the initial pain. After the muscles in the study's patients had improved, the patients were still leaning further forward to rise from a seated position. This poses a risk for many patients, as this method of standing makes a fall more likely.

Regarding the study's findings, Lynn Snyder-Mackler, PT, ScD, SCS, ATC, FAPTA, alumni professor in the University of Deleware's Department of Physical Therapy and a certified sports physical therapist said the following:

"Simply put, it was a learned movement pattern that could not be resolved without retraining by a physical therapist, usually beginning 4-6 weeks after surgery when weight can be put equally on both legs,"  (Source)

Keep your eyes peeled for more information on this study, I would love to hear your thoughts on this!