title: Multidisciplinary rehabilitation after primary total knee arthroplasty: a randomized controlled study of its effects on functional capacity and quality of life.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine whether a multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme can improve functional recovery and quality of life and reduce the use of rehabilitation services compared with conventional care one year after total knee arthroplasty.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, randomized, non-blinded, controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  An outpatient centre-based setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-six patients who were scheduled for primary total knee arthroplasty due to osteoarthritis of the knee.
  
  
  METHODS
  A ten-day multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme, which was focused on enhancing functional capacity, was organized 2-4 months after surgery. In both groups, a standard amount of physiotherapy was included in conventional care.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), the 15D, 15-m walk test, stair test, isometric strength measurement of the knee. Use of rehabilitation services was asked about with a questionnaire. Outcomes were assessed preoperatively and at 2-, 6- and 12-month follow-ups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In both groups, functional capacity and quality of life improved significantly. The mean absolute change in the WOMAC function score was -32.4 mm (SD 26.4) in the rehabilitation group and -32.8 mm (SD 20.1) in the control group (P-time*group = 0.40). No difference was found between groups in any outcome measure or in the use of rehabilitation services during the study period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study indicates that for knee osteoarthritis patients treated with primary total knee arthroplasty, a 10-day multidisciplinary outpatient rehabilitation programme 2-4 months after surgery does not yield faster attainment of functional recovery or improvement in quality of life than can be achieved with conventional care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland. anna-maija.kauppila@oulu.fi
authors.forename: Anna-Maija
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Kauppila
authors.forename: Eero
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kyllönen
authors.forename: Pasi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ohtonen
authors.forename: Martti
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hämäläinen
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mikkonen
authors.forename: Vesa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Laine
authors.forename: Pertti
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Siira
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mäki-Heikkilä
authors.forename: Harri
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sintonen
authors.forename: Juhana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Leppilahti
authors.forename: Jari P A
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Arokoski
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000601:surgery*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010045:Outpatients; D010349:Patient Compliance; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D020127:Recovery of Function