Exercise may not provide benefit over physical therapy after knee replacement

In a randomized trial of patients who underwent total knee replacement as a treatment for osteoarthritis, a group program of strengthening and aerobic exercises was not better at alleviating long-term knee pain or overcoming activity limitations compared with usual care, which included physical therapy.

Although most patients experienced less knee pain and improved physical function after undergoing total knee replacement, marked deficits in physical performance measures remained 12 months later.

The findings are published in Arthritis Care & Research.