title: A Novel Non-Invasive Adjuvant Biomechanical Treatment for Patients with Altered Rehabilitation after Total Knee Arthroplasty: Results of a Pilot Investigation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Many factors contribute to suboptimal results after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) but little is known regarding the value of postsurgical rehabilitation after TKA. We examined the effects of an enhanced closed kinematic chain exercises program (AposTherapy) on gait patterns and clinical outcomes among patients with a lack of progress in their postsurgical rehabilitation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-two patients were prospectively followed during the study. Gait spatiotemporal parameters were measured at the initial evaluation, after 15 minutes of therapy, and after 3 months of therapy. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and the short form (SF) 36 health survey were completed by patients before treatment and after 3 months of treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The WOMAC and SF-36 scores improved significantly after 3 months of treatment. Gait velocity, single limb support, and step length of the operated leg improved significantly even after a single 15 minutes treatment. Normal gait velocity was observed in 36% of patients after 3 months of treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A physiotherapy program that included enhanced closed kinematic chain biomechanical therapy was beneficial for patients who experienced a suboptimal rehabilitation course after TKA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel.
authors.forename: Lee
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yaari
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel.
authors.forename: Yona
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kosashvili
authors.affiliation: AposTherapy Research Group, Herzliya, Israel.
authors.forename: Ganit
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Segal
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel.
authors.forename: Shai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shemesh
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel.
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Velkes
authors.affiliation: AposTherapy Research Group, Herzliya, Israel.
authors.forename: Amit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mor
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Barzilay Medical Center, Ashkelon, Israel.
authors.forename: Ronen
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Debi
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Carmel Medical Center, Haifa, Israel.
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bernfeld
authors.affiliation: AposTherapy Research Group, Herzliya, Israel.
authors.forename: Avi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Elbaz
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000628:therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012775:Shoes; D017211:Treatment Failure
keywords: Arthroplasty; Gait; Knee; Rehabilitation