Pathway-controlled fast-track rehabilitation after total knee arthroplasty: a randomized prospective clinical study evaluating the recovery pattern, drug consumption, and length of stay
Purpose To investigate fast - track rehabilitation concept in terms of a measurable effect on the early recovery after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods This was an open, randomized, prospective clinical study, comparing the fast-track rehabilitation —a pathway-controlled early recovery program...
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Published in | Archives of orthopaedic and trauma surgery Vol. 132; no. 8; pp. 1153 - 1163 |
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Main Authors | , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
Berlin/Heidelberg
Springer-Verlag
01.08.2012
Springer Nature B.V |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | Purpose
To investigate
fast
-
track
rehabilitation concept in terms of a measurable effect on the early recovery after total knee arthroplasty (TKA).
Methods
This was an open, randomized, prospective clinical study, comparing the
fast-track rehabilitation
—a pathway-controlled early recovery program (Joint Care
®
)—with
standard
postoperative rehabilitation care, after TKA. Overall, 147 patients had TKA (
N
= 74
fast-track rehabilitation,
N
= 73
standard
rehabilitation
). The
fast-track rehabilitation
patients received a group therapy, early mobilization (same day as surgery) and 1:1 physiotherapy (2 h/day). Patient monitoring occurred over 3 months (1 pre- and 4 post-operative visits). The
standard rehabilitation
group received individual postoperative care according to the existing protocol, with 1:1 physiotherapy (1 h/day). The cumulative American Knee Society Score (AKSS) was the primary evaluation variable, used to detect changes in joint function and perception of pain. The secondary evaluation variables were WOMAC index score, analgesic drug consumption, length of stay (LOS), and safety.
Results
After TKA, patients in the
fast-track rehabilitation
group showed enhanced recovery compared with the
standard
rehabilitation
group, as based on the differences between the groups for the cumulative AKSS (
p
= 0.0003), WOMAC index score (<0.0001), reduced intake of concomitant analgesic drugs, reduced LOS (6.75 vs. 13.20 days,
p
< 0001), and lower number of adverse events.
Conclusion
For TKA, implementation of pathway-controlled
fast-track
rehabilitation is achievable and beneficial as based on the AKSS and WOMAC score, reduced intake of analgesic drugs, and reduced LOS. |
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Bibliography: | ObjectType-Article-2 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-News-1 ObjectType-Feature-3 content type line 23 |
ISSN: | 0936-8051 1434-3916 |
DOI: | 10.1007/s00402-012-1528-1 |