[Results of early rehabilitation using various knee prosthesis models]

The present contribution deals with the early rehabilitation outcomes achieved using total knee arthroplasties with major differences in design. Hinged and unhinged total knee replacements are compared for a total of 100 patients included in the prospective study (48 hinged prostheses, and 52 unhinged ones). Evaluation of the functional and subjective parameters included shows that major improvements in total scores had been achieved in both groups already after 5 weeks, even more pronounced after 10 weeks. With a number of differences found for the various criteria assessed, it in particular is the fact of early stability of the joint in using the hinged prostheses that entails speedy progress and a good rehabilitation outcome. Due consideration of the different early outcomes for the various parameters, hence, is imperative in pre-operative decision-making.