Original scientific paper

Range of movement after total knee arthroplasty

Tomislav Mađarević orcid.org/0000-0002-4719-3191 ; Clinics for orthopedics Lovran, Lovran, Croatia
Ana Čubelić ; Department for orthopedics and physical medicine, School of medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
Gordan Gulan ; Clinics for orthopedics Lovran, Lovran, Croatia
Branko Šestan ; Clinics for orthopedics Lovran, Lovran, Croatia
Marijan Mikačević ; Clinics for orthopedics Lovran, Lovran, Croatia

Abstract

Aim: To determine the range of motion after implantation of total cement knee endoprosthesis.
Methods: In the period form Septemer 2007 to December 2008 range of motion was measured during clinical exam with protractor. Range of motion was analysed preoperatively, 14th day postoperatively and a year postoperatively. We analysed the prosthesis where the components were placed in a neutral position, and where a good balance of soft tissue was established. Mobility of the knee of 45 patients operated in our institution was analyzed. Same type of prosthesis was implanted to all patients, and the same operating team performed the surgeries.
Results: There are signifi cant diff erences in the presence of preoperative flexion contracture and flexion contracture a year after the surgery. The extent of flexion preoperative and one year after surgery were without significant differences, although the trend indicates a greater ability of flexion one year after surgery.
Discussion: Appropriate operative technique and rehabilitation process by standard protocol enable mobility which is suffi cient for daily life activities. Mobility one year after surgery indicates
the importance of physical therapy after discharging from hospital. Although postoperative mobility of the knee mainly depends on preoperative mobility, and partly on the type and position of endoprosthesis, the results of our study indicate the importance of surgical technique and early postoperative kinesiotherapy.
Conclusion: The most common reasons for patients to decide for total knee arthroplasty are pain and reduced mobility. In all patients,
pain was of signifi cantly lower intensity, and mobility achieved one year of operations was sufficient to overcome daily living activites.

Keywords

flexion; flexion contracture; mobility; physical therapy; total knee prosthesis

Hrčak ID:

38812

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/38812

Publication date:

1.6.2009.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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