What are the effects of a supervised rehabilitation regime and self-management guidance after single compartment knee arthroplasty? -A pilot study in two cohorts

Omari, A., Ingelsrud, LH, Bandholm, TQ etal. What are the effects of a supervised rehabilitation regime and self-management guidance after single-compartment knee arthroplasty? -a pilot study in two cohorts. j exp ortop 8, 38 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40634-021-00354-x

Commentary

This study aimed to compare the effects of transitioning from a supervised optimal rehabilitation strategy to a self-managed rehabilitation regime after unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA).

The UKA performed was grouped into two cohorts, a supervised cohort and a self-managed cohort, which were temporarily separated by the introduction of a new rehabilitation strategy, with the supervised cohort (n = 25) receiving an extensive inpatient rehabilitation regime along with outpatient referrals to a rehabilitation center.

The self-managed cohort (n = 25) was instructed only on the use of crutches and free ambulation. Follow-up (F / U) was recorded one year after receiving UKA and identified knee range of motion, pain and functional limitations, length of stay (LOS), readmission rates, pain during activity and rest, and knee circumference.

Results.

A study of 45 patients was completed, and the mean cohort difference in ROM (range of motion) from preoperative to discharge was 15.4 degrees (CI: 5.2,25.8, p = 0.004), supporting a supervised regime, with no difference detected in results from 3 to 12 months.

We conclude from these results that the transition to a simple rehabilitation regime after surgery is associated with a decrease in ROM at discharge, which was not present at 3 months F / U. No differences were found between the other cohorts for other outcomes, including functional limitations, at 3 and 12 months F / U. There may have been insufficient research on these outcomes.