Effects of thermal therapy on rehabilitation after total knee arthroplasty. A prospective randomized study

The role of local heat or cold therapy used in conjunction with exercise in the rehabilitation of total knee arthroplasty patients was investigated. Thirty-six osteoarthritic patients were analyzed. Parameters evaluated were range of motion, swelling about the knee, and pain. All patients received the total condylar knee prosthesis and began range of motion rehabilitation fourteen days after operation. Results showed that temperature alteration does not augment passive range of motion after total knee arthroplasty. It was also shown that cold application decreases swelling as compared with heat. Additionally, the application of cold partially alleviates the discomfort of the rehabilitation process in certain patients.