Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research recently published an article entitled “Quadriceps and Hamstrings Muscle Dysfunction after Total Knee Arthroplasty.” The article discusses a study of dysfunction in the quadriceps and hamstring muscles following Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA).

Using bilateral isometric strength tests and EMG measures of quads / hams co-activation the study found that the difference in loss of strength between the muscle groups was not significant; both were weakened equally.

The authors claim that in post TKA rehab the hamstrings are often neglected  relative to the emphasis placed on quadricep strengthening and retraining. Their conclusion from this study is that the hamstrings should be included with the quadriceps as the primary focus in post total knee arthroplasty rehabilitation.

View the official abstract here.