Changing the narrative for exercise-based prehabilitation: Evidence-informed and shared decision making when discussing the need for a total knee arthroplasty with patients

Objective: To examine a novel application of exercise-based prehabilitation in severe knee osteoarthritis—termed “pre-evaluation exercise''—focused on supporting surgical decision-making and adherence to clinical guidelines, rather than attempting to enhance post-operative recovery. Design...

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Main Authors: Thomas Bandholm, Rasmus Skov Husted, Anders Troelsen, Kristian Thorborg
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:Osteoarthritis and Cartilage Open
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2665913125000378
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author Thomas Bandholm
Rasmus Skov Husted
Anders Troelsen
Kristian Thorborg
author_facet Thomas Bandholm
Rasmus Skov Husted
Anders Troelsen
Kristian Thorborg
author_sort Thomas Bandholm
collection DOAJ
description Objective: To examine a novel application of exercise-based prehabilitation in severe knee osteoarthritis—termed “pre-evaluation exercise''—focused on supporting surgical decision-making and adherence to clinical guidelines, rather than attempting to enhance post-operative recovery. Design: This narrative review discusses the usage of exercise in the clinical decision process for total knee arthroplasty (TKA). It synthesizes data from studies on exercise-based prehabilitation, covering patient selection, implementation, and its effects on surgical choices. Emphasis is placed on multi-disciplinary coordination within an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) framework. Results: Evidence suggests that pre-evaluation exercise can improve symptom management and may lead to delayed or reduced surgical intervention. This approach shows significant potential in reducing the rate of TKA surgeries among patients with severe knee osteoarthritis by improving physical conditioning, addressing symptom variability, and enhancing informed, patient-centered surgical decisions. Conclusions: Pre-evaluation exercise in knee osteoarthritis is a viable strategy that complements existing ERAS initiatives by facilitating guideline-conformant surgical decision-making. Incorporating this into pre-surgical care pathways can foster improved patient-related outcomes and healthcare resource optimization.
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spelling doaj-art-d8027d4ed2b44fad8e2dfcaf4ce3bcba2025-08-20T03:47:41ZengElsevierOsteoarthritis and Cartilage Open2665-91312025-06-017210060110.1016/j.ocarto.2025.100601Changing the narrative for exercise-based prehabilitation: Evidence-informed and shared decision making when discussing the need for a total knee arthroplasty with patientsThomas Bandholm0Rasmus Skov Husted1Anders Troelsen2Kristian Thorborg3Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Research-Copenhagen (PMR-C), Department of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Copenhagen University Hospital Amager-Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark; Department of Clinical Research, Copenhagen University Hospital Amager-Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark; Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Copenhagen University Hospital Amager-Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Corresponding author.Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Research-Copenhagen (PMR-C), Department of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Copenhagen University Hospital Amager-Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark; Department of Clinical Research, Copenhagen University Hospital Amager-Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark; Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Copenhagen University Hospital Amager-Hvidovre, Hvidovre, DenmarkDepartment of Orthopedic Surgery, Copenhagen University Hospital Amager-Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, DenmarkPhysical Medicine & Rehabilitation Research-Copenhagen (PMR-C), Department of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Copenhagen University Hospital Amager-Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Sports Orthopaedic Research Center – Copenhagen (SORC-C), Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Copenhagen University Hospital Amager-Hvidovre, Hvidovre, DenmarkObjective: To examine a novel application of exercise-based prehabilitation in severe knee osteoarthritis—termed “pre-evaluation exercise''—focused on supporting surgical decision-making and adherence to clinical guidelines, rather than attempting to enhance post-operative recovery. Design: This narrative review discusses the usage of exercise in the clinical decision process for total knee arthroplasty (TKA). It synthesizes data from studies on exercise-based prehabilitation, covering patient selection, implementation, and its effects on surgical choices. Emphasis is placed on multi-disciplinary coordination within an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) framework. Results: Evidence suggests that pre-evaluation exercise can improve symptom management and may lead to delayed or reduced surgical intervention. This approach shows significant potential in reducing the rate of TKA surgeries among patients with severe knee osteoarthritis by improving physical conditioning, addressing symptom variability, and enhancing informed, patient-centered surgical decisions. Conclusions: Pre-evaluation exercise in knee osteoarthritis is a viable strategy that complements existing ERAS initiatives by facilitating guideline-conformant surgical decision-making. Incorporating this into pre-surgical care pathways can foster improved patient-related outcomes and healthcare resource optimization.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2665913125000378OsteoarthritisTotal knee replacementPrehabilitationExercise therapy
spellingShingle Thomas Bandholm
Rasmus Skov Husted
Anders Troelsen
Kristian Thorborg
Changing the narrative for exercise-based prehabilitation: Evidence-informed and shared decision making when discussing the need for a total knee arthroplasty with patients
Osteoarthritis and Cartilage Open
Osteoarthritis
Total knee replacement
Prehabilitation
Exercise therapy
title Changing the narrative for exercise-based prehabilitation: Evidence-informed and shared decision making when discussing the need for a total knee arthroplasty with patients
title_full Changing the narrative for exercise-based prehabilitation: Evidence-informed and shared decision making when discussing the need for a total knee arthroplasty with patients
title_fullStr Changing the narrative for exercise-based prehabilitation: Evidence-informed and shared decision making when discussing the need for a total knee arthroplasty with patients
title_full_unstemmed Changing the narrative for exercise-based prehabilitation: Evidence-informed and shared decision making when discussing the need for a total knee arthroplasty with patients
title_short Changing the narrative for exercise-based prehabilitation: Evidence-informed and shared decision making when discussing the need for a total knee arthroplasty with patients
title_sort changing the narrative for exercise based prehabilitation evidence informed and shared decision making when discussing the need for a total knee arthroplasty with patients
topic Osteoarthritis
Total knee replacement
Prehabilitation
Exercise therapy
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2665913125000378
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