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Home continuous passive motion machine versus professional physical therapy following total knee replacement
R L Worland1, J Arredondo, F Angles
1Advanced Orthopaedic Centers, HealthSouth Medical Center, Richmond, Virginia 23294, USA.
The Journal of Arthroplasty
|November 5, 1998
Summary
Continuous passive motion (CPM) machines offer an effective and lower-cost home rehabilitation alternative for total knee replacement patients compared to professional physical therapy, showing similar functional outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Post-total knee arthroplasty (TKA) rehabilitation is crucial for restoring range of motion and function.
- Continuous passive motion (CPM) machines are utilized in home therapy programs.
- Professional physical therapy is the traditional post-TKA rehabilitation approach.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effectiveness and cost of home-based CPM therapy versus traditional professional physical therapy after primary TKA.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, randomized clinical study involving 103 primary TKAs in 80 patients.
- Patients were divided into two groups: CPM machine therapy and professional physical therapy.
- Outcomes including knee flexion, contracture, and extensor lag were assessed at 2 weeks and 6 months.
Main Results:
- At 2 weeks, knee flexion was similar; a clinically insignificant flexion contracture was noted in the CPM group.
- At 6 months, no significant differences were observed in knee scores, flexion, contracture, or extensor lag between groups.
- The CPM group incurred significantly lower costs ($286/patient) compared to the professional therapy group ($558/patient).
Conclusions:
- Home-based CPM therapy is an adequate and cost-effective rehabilitation alternative following total knee replacement.
- CPM therapy demonstrates comparable functional outcomes to professional physical therapy at a reduced cost.