Effects of Mechano-Sonic Vibration Therapy on Muscle Strength, Pain, and Joint Function in Elderly Patients Undergoing Total Knee and Hip Arthroplasty: A Retrospective, Case-Control Study.

Background

Early recovery after total hip (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is often limited by pain and impaired antigravity function. Mechano-acoustic vibration therapy (VT) may enhance neuromuscular activation and analgesia, but evidence in arthroplasty is scarce.

Methods

A total of 380 patients aged ≥65 years were retrospectively identified within 3 ± 1 days after primary unilateral total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA). All patients underwent standard inpatient physiotherapy; in the VT group, mechano-acoustic vibration therapy (ViSS®, 30 min/day for 5 days at 200-300 Hz) was added as an adjunct treatment, whereas the control group received standard physiotherapy alone. Pain (VAS, McGill), muscle strength (MRC), thigh circumferences, and 10 s Sit-to-Stand were assessed at baseline (T0), end of treatment (T1), and 3-day follow-up (T2).

Results

VT produced large, early and sustained improvements in both cohorts. In THA patients, VAS decreased from 7.1 ± 1.1 to 3.8 ± 0.6 at T1 and 3.0 ± 0.7 at T2 and Sit-to-Stand repetitions increased from 3.7 ± 1.9 to 6.3 ± 1.7 at T2, with significant gains in strength and circumferences. TKA VT patients showed similar patterns. Control groups reported smaller pain reductions and no clinically relevant changes in the reported outcomes.

Conclusions

integrating a short cycle of mechano-acoustic VT into early inpatient rehabilitation after THA or TKA significantly enhances pain relief and restoration of antigravity function compared with standard physiotherapy alone. VT represents a promising adjunct to conventional rehabilitation strategies and may contribute to optimizing postoperative recovery pathways in major joint replacement.