Diabetes is a Risk Factor for Restricted Range of Motion and Poor Clinical Outcome After Total Knee Arthroplasty

We investigated the effects of diabetes mellitus on knee range of motion, muscle strength, and functional outcome after total knee arthroplasty.

A total of 20 patients with type 2 diabetes and 20 patients without diabetes matched for age, body mass index, knee range of motion, and muscle strength at baseline participated in this study. We examined knee range of motion and muscle strength and assessed functional activities using the new Knee Society Score questionnaire for each patient 1 month preoperatively and at 6 and 12 months postoperatively.

Patients with diabetes had significantly lower knee flexion and smaller improvements in the new Knee Society Score than patients without diabetes.

Our results suggest that clinicians should treat and monitor patients with diabetes closely to prevent restricted knee range of motion and poorer functional recovery after total knee arthroplasty.