Comparison between two early rehabilitation methods after total knee arthroplasty surgery

Objective To compare the effects of two early rehabilitation methods after total knee arthroplasty surgery. Methods A total of 40 patients after total knee arthroplasty surgery were randomly assigned to control group and experimental group on average. The control group conducted the conventional rehabilitation method, and the experimental group performed a method that patients used upper limbs doing active motion and passive motion of lower limbs with bandage. The patients were assessed by Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) Knee Score at 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after the operation. The range of motion at 1 week and pain at 3 days were evaluated. Results At 1 week, 1 month and 3 months follow-ups, the HSS scores in the experimental group were (63.90±2.10), (71.65±2.50), (73.80±2.80) points, significant better than those in the control group (t=6.782, 4.547, 9.128; P<0.01). The rang of motion at 1 week and pain during rest at 3days follow-up in the experimental group were significantly better than those in the control group (t=16.644, -4.613; P<0.01). Conclusions The new rehabilitation method can help to accelerate the recovery of knee function, improve the quality of life and consolidate the clinical outcomes. Key words: Rehabilitation nursing; Arthroplasty, replacement, knee; Function exercise