Preoperative interventions in patients with severe knee osteoarthritis undergoing total knee replacement : neuromuscular training and patient education

Osteoarthritis of the knee is a leading cause of disability in later age. Prolonged hospitalization after total knee replacement due to decreased physical fitness during the pre-surgery period increases the economic burden on society. Thus, preoperative exercise might be beneficial. Based on the work in this thesis, we are unable to recommend the implementation of preoperative exercise as a standard treatment in clinical practice. Alongside strengthening and aerobic exercise, neuromuscular exercise could be applied, but further research should explore what types of exercise, at what frequency, intensity and duration is best to help patients with knee osteoarthritis.