Article

Objective: To determine if creatine monohydrate supplementation can improve body composition and enhance recovery after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Design: Randomized trial in which creatine monohydrate or placebo was administered. Setting: Public primary care facility. Participants: Thirty-seven adults (17 men, 20 women) with osteoarthritis undergoing TKA. Intervention: Subjects received creatine monohydrate (10g/d x 10d presurgery to 5g/d x 30d postsurgery) or placebo. Main Outcome Measures: Body composition (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scanning), muscle metabolite concentrations (adenosine triphosphate, phosphocreatine, creatine, total creatine [phosphocreatine + creatine]), muscle histomorphometery, quadriceps, ankle dorsiflexion and handgrip strength, and functional capacity. All measurements were completed preoperatively (-7d) and 30 days postoperatively, except for that of muscle metabolites. Muscle metabolite samples were collected during surgery (0d) and at 30 days. Results: A significant decrease in quadriceps and ankle dorsiflexion strength was observed at 30 days postoperatively (P <.01). There were no significant effects of creatine monohydrate supplementation on any of the measured outcome variables. Conclusions: Creatine morohydrate supplementation did not improve body composition or muscle strength when given before surgery, nor did it enhance recovery after TKA.

Langue : ANGLAIS