Exercise combined with continuous passive motion or slider board therapy compared with exercise only: a randomized controlled trial of patients following total knee arthroplasty.
OBJECTIVE
The primary purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to determine which method of mobilization - (1) standardized exercises (SE) and continuous passive motion (CPM), (2) SE and slider board (SB) therapy, using an inexpensive, nontechnical device that requires minimal knee active range of motion (ROM), or (3) SE alone-achieved the maximum degree of knee ROM in the fIrst 6 months following primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The secondary purpose was to compare health-related quality of life among these 3 groups.


METHODS
The subjects were 120 patients (n=40/group) who received a TEA at a teaching hospital between June 1997 and July 1998 and who agreed to participate in the study.


METHODS
Subjects were examined preoperatively, at discharge, and at 3 and 6 months after surgery. The examination consisted of measurement of knee ROM and completion of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) Osteoarthritis Index and the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36).


RESULTS
The 3 treatment groups were similar with respect to age, sex, and diagnosis at the start of the study. There were no differences in knee ROM or in WOMAC Osteoarthritis Index or SF-36 scores at any of the measurement intervals. The rate of postoperative complications also was not different among the groups.


CONCLUSIONS
When postoperative rehabilitation regimens that focus on early mobilization of the patient are used, adjunct ROM therapies (CPM and SB) that are added to daily SE sessions are not required. Six months after TEA, patients attain a satisfactory level of knee ROM and function.
Beaupré
L A
LA
Orthopaedic Research, University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, Canada. lbeaupre@cha.ab.ca
Davies
D M
DM
Jones
C A
CA
Cinats
J G
JG
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015915:Motion Therapy, Continuous Passive / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D011788:Quality of Life; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D020127:Recovery of Function; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome