Comparison of two different models of rehabilitation programs following total knee replacement operations

Abstract

Background: Total knee replacement operation (TKR) is the treatment of choice in severe knee osteoarthritis (OA). Rehabilitation post-TKR is still not well studied. The aim of this study was to compare between the high-intensity (HI) rehabilitation program and the low-intensity (LI) rehabilitation program following TKR. Results: At 1 month following the TKR operations, significant improvements were found in the first group compared to the second group in all the measured parameters except for the knee range of motion (ROM). At 3 and 12 months follow-up periods, there were statistically significant differences between both groups in all the evaluated parameters except for the numeric pain rating scale and the knee ROM. Conclusions: Both high-intensity and low-intensity rehabilitation programs are effective; however, HI program had superior functional gain and patient-reported outcomes compared to the LI program. Moreover, HI group has a long-term functional gain.