Abstract: Objective To explore the effect of prehabilitation during the perioperative period of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in the elderly patients with severe flexion deformity. Methods A total of 30 elderly patients with severe flexion deformity undergoing TKA in our hospital from January 2019 to December 2019 were selected and divided into study group (15 cases) and control group (15 cases) according to the random number table method. The control group received conventional perioperative nursing support, and the study group received prehabilitation nursing support. All patients received the assessment of the self-rating anxiety score (SAS), visual Analogue scale (VAS) and mini nutritional assessment (MNA-sf), knee range of motion (ROM), hand muscle test (MMT), Muller knee stability score, daily activity difficulty (WOMAC) and quality of life scale (SF-36) at admission, before operation, 7 d, 3 months, and 6 months after surgery. Results There were no significant differences in the scores of SAS, VAS, MNA-sf, MMT, Muller knee joint stability, WOMAC, SF-36 and ROM at admission between the two groups (P>0.05). Before and 7 days after operation, the scores of VAS and SAS in the study group were significantly lower than those in the control group, while the score of MNA-sf was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). Before operation, 7 days, 3 and 6 months after operation, the scores of ROM, MMT, Muller knee stability and SF-36 in the study group were significantly higher than those in the control group, while the score of WOMAC was significantly lower (P<0.05). Conclusions Prehabilitation nursing support for elderly patients with severe flexion deformity during TKA perioperative period can improve their preoperative nutritional level and functional reserve, which is beneficial to the rapid rehabilitation of postoperative knee joint function and the improvement of long-term prognosis.

Key words: prehabilitation, severe senile flexion deformity, knee joint function, long-term effect, aged