Application of a vibrating device for the prevention of flexion contracture after total knee arthroplasty.
Our research team developed a new, heel support-based static and vibrating complementary treatment method for the prevention of flexion contractures often arising after total knee arthroplasty. We examined the efficiency of the method performing a randomized clinical trial with 144 patients undergoing total knee replacement. Seventy-nine patients were treated for 1 week with a generally used continuous passive motion (CPM) device complemented with our new method, which was based on the application of a static and an alternating heel support. The 65 patients in the control group were treated with only a CPM device as in usual clinical practice. The femoro-tibial angle was measured immediately following surgery, and after 1 week of treatment. At the end of the 1 week treatment, the target extension angle (0° ± 5°) was achieved by significantly more patients with the new combined method. This way the elevated heel rest and the vibrating device proved to be a good adjunct treatment along with the CPM used in routine clinical practice in the first place for the prevention of flexion contractures.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Clinical Center, University of Debrecen, 98 Nagyerdei krt, Debrecen, 4032, Hungary, manos@med.unideb.hu.
Sándor
S
Manó
Judit
J
Pálinkás
János
J
Szabó
Judit T
JT
Nagy
Katalin
K
Bakó
Zoltán
Z
Csernátony
D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D003286:Contracture / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015915:Motion Therapy, Continuous Passive; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D014732:Vibration / Q000627:therapeutic use*