Considerable variety in usual care rehabilitation after knee arthroplasty : a survey amongst physiotherapists

Acta Orthop Belg. 2018 Sep;84(3):269-278.

Abstract

Knee arthroplasty (KA) is increasingly performed, but rehabilitation and the possibility of returning to sports after KA are understudied areas. A web-based survey amongst physiotherapists was conducted to obtain insight in current rehabilitation methods and their return to sports advice after KA. 82 physiotherapists (62%) completed the survey. Broad agreement existed concerning important goals of rehabilitation, including the improvement of ROM, muscle strength, coordination and gait pattern. However, physiotherapists use a wide variety of treatment strategies to achieve these goals. Return to low-impact sports is mostly recommended, while return to intermediate- and high-impact sports is either advised against or considered impossible. The development of new evidence-based guidelines on physiotherapy after KA could lead to a more uniform approach in the rehabilitation for KA patients. Furthermore, investigating effects of individualization in the rehabilitation may prove valuable in optimising both patient outcomes and cost-effectiveness of this worldwide increasingly performed intervention.

Publication types

  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / rehabilitation*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Gait
  • Goals
  • Humans
  • Muscle Strength
  • Physical Therapists*
  • Physical Therapy Modalities*
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians'*
  • Range of Motion, Articular
  • Return to Sport
  • Surveys and Questionnaires