Effects on joint mobility and pain of different range of motion exercises for total knee arthroplasty patients

Abstract

Purpose: We assessed the differences in effects on knee joint mobility and pain of passive and active assisted exercise methods for total knee arthroplasty patients. Subjects: The subjects were 34 rheumatic patients who received the same type of artificial knee from the same surgeon by the same surgical method. Methods: The subjects were divided at random into active assisted (n=17) and passive (n=17) exercise groups and provided with physical therapy. Physical therapy length, number of sessions and amount were made the same. The measurement items were passive flexion and extension angles, number of days to achieve 120° flexion, number of days of continuous passive motion (CPM), and pain during exercise. We performed inter- and intra-group comparisons on all items. Results: Significant inter-group differences were found for passive flexion angle, days to 120° flexion, days of CPM, and pain during exercise. Significant intra-group differences were found for passive flexion and extension angles. For all the measurement items, the active assisted exercise group showed improvement trends that were better than those of the passive exercise group. Conclusion: Active assisted exercise was effective for improving knee joint mobility and reducing pain during exercise; however, it is necessary for the physical therapist to provide thorough explanation and guidance to the subject. Exercise methods which reduce pain require and effectively improve mobility substantiation on a scientific basis.