OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of using a Continuous Passive Motion (CPM) device for individuals with poor range of motion following a total knee replacement (TKR) admitted for post acute rehabilitation. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: An inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF). PARTICIPANTS: Adults (n = 141) following TKR with initial active knee flexion of less than 75 degrees upon admission to the IRF. INTERVENTION: Two randomized groups: group 1 (n = 71) patients received the conventional 3 hours of therapy per day and group 2 (n = 70) received the addition of daily CPM use for 2 hours throughout their length of stay. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The primary outcome measure was active knee flexion range of motion (ROM). Secondary outcome measures included: active knee extension ROM; an estimate of function using the Functional Independence Measure (FIM); and Timed Up and Go Test (TUG); girth measurement; and, self- reported Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). RESULTS: All subjects significantly improved from admission to discharge in all outcome measures. However, there were no statistically significant differences in any of the discharge outcome measures of the CPM group compared to the non-CPM group. CONCLUSION: CPM does not provide an additional benefit over the conventional interventions employed in an inpatient rehabilitation facility for patient following TKR, specifically in patients with poor initial knee flexion ROM following surgery.

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

• DOI
• PubMed
• PDF locator
• publisher