PURPOSE: We investigated the effect of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound and cryotherapy on joint function recovery and c-reactive protein (CRP) levels of patients with total knee replacement. SUBJECTS: Forty-six patients with total knee replacement were recruited and allocated to either low-intensity pulsed ultrasound therapy (n = 15), cryotherapy (n = 15), or a combination of both (n = 16). Therapy was administered once a day, 5 times a week for 3 weeks. To determine functional joint recovery and reduction of inflammation, changes in the Korean Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (K-WOMAC), range of motion (ROM), and CRP were assessed postsurgically and four times over a 3-week period. Using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), homogeneity tests were performed based on participants' general characteristics. To recognize changes in time-variant K-WOMAC, ROM, and CRP values between groups, repeated measures ANOVA was performed, and Tukey's test was used for post-test analysis. Values at alpha = 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: We found a difference between groups and times, and the group that received the combined therapies showed greater changes in outcomes than the group that received low-intensity pulsed ultrasound therapy alone. CONCLUSION: Applying both low-intensity pulsed ultrasound and cryotherapy can relieve inflammation and enhance joint function in patients who undergo total knee replacement.

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