The Role of Physical Activity on Functional Outcomes After Total Knee Arthroplasty

Aim: Rehabilitation following total knee arthroplasty plays a critical role in optimizing functional recovery, enhancing prosthesis longevity, and improving overall patient satisfaction. This study aims to evaluate the impact of physical activity levels on functional outcomes following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and to investigate the relationship between physical activity and functional scores using validated assessment tools such as IPAQ-SF, WOMAC, and Oxford Knee Score.Materials and Methods: Data from 162 patients who underwent TKA between June 2022 and June 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were grouped into three categories based on their weekly physical activity levels according to IPAQ-SF: inactive (3000 MET-minutes). Functional outcomes, including range of motion (ROM), WOMAC, and Oxford Knee Sscores, were compared among these groups.Results: The highly active group demonstrated significantly better functional outcomes, including ROM (113.19° ± 4.93), WOMAC scores (10.14 ± 3.48), and Oxford Knee Sscores (34.42 ± 7.29), compared to the inactive group (p < 0.001). Body mass index (BMI) was inversely correlated with physical activity levels; the highly active group had a lower mean BMI (30.61 ± 7.78) compared to the inactive group (35.14 ± 4.55, p = 0.001). While age did not significantly differ among groups, the highly active and moderate active groups exhibited better ROM and functional scores than the inactive group (p < 0.05).Conclusions: Higher physical activity levels are associated with superior functional outcomes following TKA, highlighting the importance of postoperative rehabilitation and lifestyle modifications. These findings emphasize the role of physical activity in enhancing joint mobility, functional capacity, and patient satisfaction while mitigating BMI-related complications.