Conclusions
Our results indicate that knee extension ROM is an important correlate of physical function in patients with TKA. More important, changes in knee extension ROM and knee extensor strength interrelated to influence physical function. If future studies could demonstrate that the etiology of knee extensor muscle weakness is associated, inter alia, with knee extension ROM deficits, these findings would suggest that interventions to improve the range of knee extension may be useful in improving knee extensor performance.
Abbreviations
OA: Osteoarthritis; ROM: Range of motion; TKA: Total knee arthroplasty; SF-36: Short form 36.
Competing interests
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
Authors’ contributions
Authors YHP, PHO, HCC, WY, CT, and LNN (1) have all contributed to conception and design of this study; (2) have been involved in drafting the manuscript and revising it critically for important intellectual content; and (3) have given final approval of this version to be published.