Evaluation of outcomes on long-term standard rehabilitation following total knee replacement

Objective To discuss the effects of long-term standard rehabilitation following total knee replacement(TKR).Methods Forty-eight cases of unilateral total knee replacement during March2006 to November 2010 were retrospectively analyzed and randomly divided into long-term standard rehabilitation group(receiving aguidance by a rehabilitation specialist after surgery for more than 45 days)and control group(receiving a written rehabilitation guidance after discharge from hospital at home).All patients received the same routine orthopedic treatment,care and rehabilitation guidance.The rehabilitation procedure consisted of preoperative guidance,intensive training,range of motion training,balance and proprioceptive function,gait and activities of daily living training.Patients were evaluated at the 1st day before and the 14th and45th day after operation.The evaluation indexes involved the Hospital for Special Surgery Knee Score(HSS)and knee range of motion(ROM).Results At the 14th day after operation,HSS and ROM in two groups were significantly improved(P0.01),and there was no significant difference between the two groups(P0.05).At the 45th day after operation,HSS and ROM in long-term standard rehabilitation group were better than in control group(P0.05).Conclusion Total knee replacement can effectively improve osteoarthritis knee function.Long-term standard rehabilitation can facilitate function restoration.