Article

OBJECTIVE: To compare the benefits of initiating rehabilitation treatment within
24 hours versus 48-72 hours after total knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis.
DESIGN: Experimental study with clinical trial design.
SUBJECTS: Patients
undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis were randomly
assigned to experimental (n = 153) and control (n = 153) groups. INTERVENTIONS:
Rehabilitation was started within 24 hours post surgery in the experimental group
and between 48 hours and 72 hours post surgery in the controls. MAIN MEASURES:
Measurement variables included joint range of motion, muscle strength, pain,
autonomy, gait and balance. RESULTS: In comparison with the controls, the
experimental group showed significantly shorter hospital stay (by (mean +/-
standard deviation) 2.09 +/- 1.45 days; P < 0.001), fewer rehabilitation sessions
until medical discharge (by 4.95 +/- 2.34; P < 0.001), lesser pain (by 2.36 +/-
2.47 points; P < 0.027), greater joint range of motion in flexion (by 16.29 +/-
11.39 degrees; P < 0.012) and extension (by 2.12 +/- 3.19; P < 0.035), improved
strength in quadriceps (by 0.98 +/- 0.54; P < 0.042) and hamstring muscles (by
1.05 +/- 0.72; P < 0.041), and higher scores for gait (P < 0.047) and balance (P < 0.045). CONCLUSION: Initiation of rehabilitation within 24 hours after total
knee arthroplasty reduces the mean hospital stay and number of sessions required
to achieve autonomy and normal gait and balance.

Langue : ANGLAIS