Abstract: Introduction: Total knee arthroplasty is becoming a frequent procedure in the current times. Following this surgery, considerable muscle atrophy occurs which results in decreased strength and impaired functional mobility. Essential amino acids (EAAs) have shown to attenuate muscle loss during periods of reduced activity and could be beneficial for patients undergoing total knee replacements.
Methodology: We conducted a prospective study of 20 geriatric patients undergoing TKA. Patients were divided into 2 groups. The first group ingested 3 capsules of EAAs and the second group ingested 3 capsules of placebo (salt capsule) twice daily between meals for 1 week before and 6 weeks after TKA. An MRI was performed to determine mid-thigh muscle and adipose tissue volume at baseline and 6 weeks after TKA. Muscle strength and functional mobility were also checked.
Results: Significant changes in mean muscle volume for both the quadriceps and the hamstrings from baseline to 6 weeks post operatively, regardless of treatment group. Quadriceps muscle atrophy was significantly greater in the placebo group than in the EAA group in both the involved leg (-11.2% ± 1.9% compared with -8.5% ± 2.5%; p= 0.014) and the contralateral leg (-7.2% ± 1.4% compared with -4.6% ± 1.6%; p = 0.011). Similarly, hamstrings muscle atrophy was significantly greater in the placebo group than in the EAA group in both the involved leg (-10.2% ± 1.4% compared -7.4% ± 2.0%; p = 0.026) and the contralateral leg (-7.5% ± 1.5% compared with -4.8% ± 1.7%; p =0 .0014).
Conclusion: EAA treatment attenuated muscle atrophy and accelerated the return of functional mobility in older adults following TKA.
