Exercise is often recommended as part of the treatment plan for osteoarthritis patients and is also an important aspect of recovery after joint replacement surgery. According to a study which will be published in the October 2006 issue of Arthritis Care & Research, the preoperative level of function strongly correlates with the postoperative level of function for joint surgery patients. The study assessed whether an exercise program prior to surgery would be beneficial to patients.

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For the study, 108 participants scheduled for hip or knee replacement were divided into two groups. One group participated in land and water exercise three times a week for 6 weeks prior to surgery (including strength training, aerobic exercises, and flexibility exercises). The other group was given educational materials to read. The exercise group reduced the likelihood of requiring discharge to an inpatient rehabilitation facility following joint replacement surgery by 73 percent. The exercise group was also more likely to walk more than 50 feet when discharged. Interestingly, only patients who exercised and underwent hip replacement surgery showed improved function prior to surgery. Researchers have suggested that knee replacement surgery patients may need a longer period of strength training to achieve better results prior to surgery.

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