Squatting following total knee arthroplasty

This prospective study was performed to investigate whether postoperative alternate flexion and extension splinting (daily change in position of immobilization by splinting) was useful in restoring full range of motion (ROM) after total knee arthroplasty as compared with continuous passive motion. The alternate flexion and extension splinting group and the continuous passive motion group were each composed of 34 knees. Final ROM was measured at an average of 3.5 years postoperatively. Squatting was possible in 31 knees (45.6%) of the alternate flexion and extension splinting group. The postoperative ROM of the osteoarthritic knees (131.8 degrees +/- 12.3 degrees) was significantly greater than that of the rheumatoid knees (121.9 degrees +/- 22.4 degrees) (p < 0.05). The postoperative ROM of the alternate flexion and extension splinting group (135.1 degrees +/- 11.9 degrees) also was significantly greater than that of the continuous passive motion group (120.0 degrees +/- 19.7 degrees) (p < 0.01). There was no statistically significant relationship between the posterior slope of tibial cutting and the postoperative ROM. It is suggested that alternate flexion and extension splinting is effective in restoring full ROM after total knee arthroplasty.