Kyeong Sik Kong

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of a 12-week closed kinetic chain (CKC) and open kinetic chain (OKC) exercise program on muscle strength, balance, range of motion (ROM), gait, knee function, and pain in elderly women following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods: Thirty-six elderly women post-TKA were randomly assigned to three groups: a CKC exercise group (n=12), an OKC exercise group (n=12), and a control group (n=12). The intervention groups participated in a 12-week structured exercise program. Outcome measures included knee flexion/extension strength, single-leg standing time, Timed Up and Go (TUG), 6-minute walk test (6MWT), ROM, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain. Results: All groups showed significant improvements over time in knee extension strength, with the CKC group demonstrating the most pronounced gains (p=0.013). ROM and both static and dynamic balance improved in all groups, with no significant differences between them. Gait performance, measured by 6MWT, increased significantly across all groups, with the CKC group showing the greatest improvement throughout the intervention. No significant group differences were observed in VAS and WOMAC scores. Conclusions: Both CKC and OKC exercises are effective in enhancing lower limb strength, ROM, and balance following TKA in elderly women. CKC exercises appear to be particularly beneficial for improving knee extension strength and gait performance.

Background: The efficacy of postoperative exercise rehabilitation after spine surgery is controversial, and a protocol for exercise treatment and detailed outcomes based on functional activity have not yet been established. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of exercise rehabilitation after lumbar spine surgery. Methods: A prospective, randomized controlled trial was conducted in 40 patients who underwent lumbar spine surgery (20 patients each in the exercise and control groups) for 12 weeks. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and EuroQol-5 Dimensions 5-Level version (EQ-5D-5L). Body proportions, including body mass index, total muscle mass, and body fat percentage were analyzed. Functional activity was evaluated based on the range of motion of the lumbar spine, strength and endurance of lumbar flexion/extension, flexibility, 6 min walking test, single-leg stance, coordination, and gait pattern analysis. Results: The exercise group showed significantly greater improvement in VAS for pain (66.67% versus 20.00%, p < 0.001) and EQ-5D-5L (45.56% versus 20.00, p = 0.039) compared to the control group. Serial assessment revealed significant improvement in strength of lumbar flexion/extension, 6 min walking test, single-leg stance, coordination, and gait patterns in the exercise group compared to the control group. In particular, the single-leg stance time for the affected leg improved more markedly in the exercise group (280.9% versus 48.7%, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Tailored postoperative exercise after lumbar spine surgery is effective in reducing pain and enhancing functional recovery, including strength and balance.