Knee extensor function before and 1 year after simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty: is there asymmetry between limbs?

One year after unilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA), there is interlimb knee extensor function asymmetry. In the study reported here, we investigated whether there was knee extensor function "asymmetry" between limbs 1 year after simultaneous bilateral TKA. Fourteen patients volunteered to participate in this study before undergoing simultaneous bilateral TKA secondary to knee osteoarthritis. One year after surgery, 8 patients agreed to participate in follow-up testing. Torque production, work, and range of motion of knee extensors were assessed isokinetically at 1.047 radians . second(-1). Before surgery, there was no difference between limbs in peak torque, work, or range of motion during isokinetic testing. One year after surgery, this pattern persisted. The strength asymmetry evident in patients 1 year after unilateral TKA did not exist in patients who underwent simultaneous bilateral TKA. There is a symmetrical pattern between limbs for knee extensor function 1 year after the bilateral procedure.