To compare the effect of manual lymphatic drainage according to Vodder method, and Kinesio Taping on volume, range of motion, pain of lower limp, quality of life (EQ-5D-5L) and length of hospital stay after total knee arthroplasty. The study consists in a randomized controlled trial, with two parallel groups, using simple randomization: lists: manual lymph drainage group 1 and Kinesio Taping group 2. Forty-three males and females (aged 60 to 89 years) who underwent total knee replacement, were randomly sample in: group 1: manual lymph drainage (n = 20), group 2: Kinesio Taping (n = 23/ n = 22 + 1 drop out). The proposed treatments were conventional physiotherapy treatment and manual lymph drainage 5days per week for group 1 or Kinesio Taping every 3 days from day 3 to 20 postoperatively for group 2. The primary outcome is the lower limb volume. Range of motion, pain, hematoma, quality of life, and hospital stay were assessed as secondary outcomes. No statistical difference is found for the volume (p = 0.60) between groups. Similar evolution for knee flexion (passive), knee extension (passive and active), and pain are found between groups. The volume from day 12, passive extension from day 8 and pain from day 11 improves over time for both groups. Both techniques show positive outcomes from days 8 to 12. Group 2 achieves a shorter hospital stay and a superior active flexion. Group 1 demonstrates better quality of life scores.

Full text (sometimes free) may be available at these link(s):      help

• DOI
• PDF locator
• publisher