Community-based Rehabilitation and Fall Prevention Program After Total Knee Arthroplasty

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a common musculoskeletal disorder among older people. Since the prevalence of knee OA increases with age, it is anticipated that the prevalence and burden of knee OA will increase significantly given the aging population. Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is used to treat patients with severe knee OA. While TKA has been shown to improve knee pain, function and quality of life of patients with knee OA, up to 50% of patients with post-TKA may suffer from falls within in the first year after TKA. Given that Tai Chi can significantly improve the balance and function of older people, a fall prevention program may improve balance, pain, and function of post-TKA patients. As such, the current 3-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT) aims to compare the effectiveness of a post-operative community-based fall prevention program in improving knee pain, function and balance of patients with unilateral TKA against a group of TKA patients receiving standard post-operative care, and age- and gender-matched asymptomatic controls over 1 year.