Normalized knee-extension strength or leg-press power after fast-track total knee arthroplasty: which measure is most closely associated to performance-based and self-reported function?

OBJECTIVE: (s): To investigate which of the two muscle-impairment measures for the operated leg, normalized knee extension strength or leg press power, is more closely associated to performance-based and self-reported measures of function shortly following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). DESIGN: Cross-sectional, exploratory study. SETTING: Laboratory at a regional hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-nine individuals with an average age of 65.5±10.3 yrs, who all had unilateral TKA 28 days prior. INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The patients performed maximal isometric knee extensions and dynamic leg presses to determine their body-mass normalized knee extension strength and leg press power, respectively. The 10-m fast speed walking and 30-s chair stand tests were used to determine performance-based function, while the Western Ontario McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and Oxford Knee scores were used to determine self-reported function. RESULTS: Normalized leg press power was more closely associated to both performance-based (r=.82, P