[Rehabilitation outcomes following knee arthroplasty: a retrospective study of 90 patients]

The objective of rehabilitation after arthroplasty is the restoration of satisfactory joint amplitude and muscular strength. The objective of this study was to determine the reasons for hospitalization for rehabilitation after knee arthroplasty, duration of stay and perioperative morbidity. The retrospective and descriptive study included 90 patients. The average age of patients was 74.5 years. A total of 84% of patients underwent primary arthroplasty and 16% secondary arthroplasty, with 7% undergoing bilateral arthroplasty. Of the patients, 88% displayed a comorbidity; 16% a deficit in flexion or extension. A total of 28% were dependents and 43% lived alone at home. Local adverse events occurred in 48% of the patients and general adverse events in 59%; deep venous thrombosis and/or pulmonary embolism were the most frequently described events (15.5%). The duration of stay for rehabilitation was 8.8 days in surgery, and 19.9 days in a rehabilitation center. The mean duration of stay was the greatest for patients with bilateral arthroplasty, those with a serious complications and older patients. The factors that determine hospitalization for rehabilitation after knee arthroplasty include older age, with comorbidity held constant; bilateral or secondary arthroplasty; level of disability; degree of dependence; living alone at home; and complications. A short stay in surgery followed by a short stay in rehabilitation center is possible with a network management.