Level 1 study shows benefits of early rehabilitation after TKA for patients with osteoarthritis

Starting physical therapy within 24 hours of total knee arthroplasty led to better range of motion, superior muscle strength and significantly shorter hospital stays in patients who had osteoarthritis than later rehabilitation, according to the results of a randomized controlled trial published in Clinical Rehabilitation.

Researchers from Almeria, Malaga and Granada, Spain compared 306 patients with osteoarthritis (OA) who had primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and were randomized to undergo physical rehabilitation within 24 hours of surgery or begin rehabilitation 48 hours to 72 hours after the procedure. Patients in the groups were aged 50 years to 75 years old.

Rehabilitation for both groups included tips on posture, walking short distances with ambulation aids and stair climbing.

The researchers discovered that patients who began rehabilitation earlier stayed in hospital 2 days less and had five fewer physical therapy sessions prior to discharge than the later-rehabilitation group. A comparison of the groups also showed less pain, greater leg flexion and extension, superior quadriceps strength and higher scores in tests for gait and balance in the earlier-rehabilitation group.

“Initiation of rehabilitation within 24 hours after total knee arthroplasty reduces the mean hospital stay and number of sessions required to achieve autonomy, and normal gait and balance,” the authors concluded in their study abstract.

Reference:
Sánchez Labraca N, et al. Clin Rehabil. March 7, 2011. [Epub ahead of print]. doi: 10.1177/0269215510393759.

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