title: Secure tracks device improves functional recovery and pain after total knee arthroplasty: a prospective, randomized, pilot study.
abstract: This prospective, randomized study compares functional outcomes between a novel support device (Secure Tracks™) and a standard walker following unilateral total knee replacement. Thirty patients were randomized for the study; 15 walker patients (70.7±6.4 yrs) and 15 Secure Track patients (68.2±6.7 yrs) (p=0.31). Total distance walked during all therapy sessions was nearly two times greater in the Secure Track (2,332 ft) than with the walker (1,241 ft)(p=.053). This trend began on the day of surgery (275 ft vs. 176 ft, p<.069) and was statistically significant by the following morning (287 ft vs. 151 ft, p=.019). Patients in the Secure Track spent a greater amount of time up and ambulating with the therapists in all sessions (.006<p>.30). At the first clinical follow-up, patients that had walked in the Secure Track completed the timed up and go test (TUG), a predictor of fall risk, 3 seconds faster than the standard rehabilitation group (9.6 vs. 12.9 seconds, p<.091). The novel therapy patients demonstrated significantly greater pain relief following the TUG test (p=.005). This study demonstrates that the choice of support device can increase patient ambulation following surgery, which will in turn improve functional outcomes and pain relief.
authors.affiliation: The CORE Institute, Phoenix, AZ, USA.
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Jacofsky
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kocisky
authors.forename: Donald
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dixon
authors.forename: Marc C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Jacofsky
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D018771:Arthralgia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014853:Walkers