With Knee Replacement Rehabilitation, the Sooner the Better New Study Shows.

In a recent study 1 published in the journal Clinical Rehabilitation, a group of Spanish researchers looked to determine if there was any benefit to beginning exercises within the first 24 hours following Knee Replacement versus waiting an additional 1-2 days to begin therapy.

The researchers compared two groups, each consisting of 153 total knee replacement patients. All patients underwent knee replacement for the treatment of advanced osteoarthritis. Following their knee replacement, the experimental group began rehabilitation within 24 hours after surgery. The other group (control) began their rehabilitation between 48 and 72 hours post-op.

When comparing the two groups, the researchers looked at several factors in order to gauge performance of each group. They looked at things such as range of motion, muscle strength and pain

What the scientists found was that the group of patients that stared their rehabilitation within 24 hours of their surgery performed significantly better. This group enjoyed a shorter hospital stay, fewer rehabilitation sessions while in the hospital and less pain. In addition the quicker rehab group also experienced greater range of motion (ROM) in flexion and extension, improved strength in the quads and hamstring muscles as well as better gait and balance. The table below summarizes the major results.

Measure Result
Hospital Length of Stay 24 Hr. group in hospital 2.09 days less (on average) than 48-72 Hr. group
Rehab Sessions 24 Hr. group had 4.95 fewer rehab sessions (on average) before discharge that the 48-72 hr. group
ROM-Flexion 24 Hr. group could flex knee on average 16.29 degrees further than 48-72 hr. group
ROM-Extension 24 Hr. group could extend knee on average 2.12 degrees further than 48-72 hr. group

This interesting article is available online in full text format at the Clinical Rehabilitation Journal website.
1 Labraca NS, Castro-Sanchez AM, Mataran-Penarrocha GA, Arroyo-Morales M, del Mar Sanchez-Joy M, Moreno-Lorenzo C. Benefits of starting rehabilitation within 24 hours of primary total knee arthroplasty: randomized clinical trial. Clinical Rehabilitation, March 2011

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