Effects of supplementation with a combination of β-hydroxy-β-methyl butyrate, L-arginine, and L-glutamine on postoperative recovery of quadriceps muscle strength after total knee arthroplasty.

Objectives: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) performed in knee osteoarthritis patients is reported to be immediately followed by a decrease in quadriceps muscle strength. We investigated the effects of supplementation with a combination β-hydroxy-β-methyl butyrate, L-arginine, and L-glutamine (HMB/Arg/Gln) on the postoperative recovery of quadriceps muscle strength in patients after TKA.

Methods: Study subjects were 23 patients (12 women; mean age: 70.