This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Continuous passive motion offers no benefits after intra-articular fracture treatment
Patients with intra-articular fractures who underwent use of continuous passive motion in the immediate postoperative period following treatment experienced no benefits with regard to knee motion at 6 months, according to study results.
Researchers randomly assigned 40 patients with intra-articular fractures of either the proximal part of the tibia or the distal end of the femur to undergo continuous passive motion or standardized physical therapy in the immediate postoperative period for 48 hours. Primary outcome was knee range of motion, and secondary outcomes included pain scores, Lower Limb Outcomes Questionnaire scores and Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment scores. The researchers conducted evaluations at 48 hours, 2 and 6 weeks, and 3 and 6 months postoperatively.
No significant differences in knee extension were found between the groups at any time point, according to the researchers. Among patients managed with the continuous passive motion device, the researchers found significantly greater knee flexion at 48 hours; however, study results showed no significant difference in knee flexion at any other time point.
No significant differences were found in knee pain between the groups at 48 hours, and no significant differences were found in overall complications, according to the researchers.
Thirty percent of patients were unable to tolerate the use of the continuous passive motion device.
Disclosures: Jeray is a consultant for Zimmer and received payment from AO North America, the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery and Trauma Newsletter. Broderick received payment from AO North America.