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 380 patients ≥65 years were included within 3±1 days after primary unilateral total hip arthroplasty (THA) (n=200) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) (n=180) and received either mechano-acoustic VT (ViSS®, 30 min/day for 5 days at 200–300 Hz; THA n=100, TKA n=90) or standard physiotherapy alone (90 min/day; matched controls THA n=100, TKA n=90). Pain (NRS/VAS, McGill), quadriceps 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 mecha-no-acoustic VT into early inpatient rehabilitation after THA or TKA significantly en-hances 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.