Rehabilitation of Patients after Artificial Knee Replacement Surgery

Abstract

          Knee osteoarthritis, as a common health problem in older adults, is related to the erosion of cartilage and surrounding tissues. It also involves the problems of joint pain, localized stiffness, joints deformity, swelling, distortion, crepitus, and reduced range of motion. Severe knee osteoarthritis has a direct adverse impact on older adults because it can develop knock-knees, deformities, weaknesses, and instabilities and requires knee replacement surgery as a treatment. Post-operative cares especially rehabilitations and exercises are required to prevent complications. Rehabilitations after artificial knee replacement surgery are divided into 3 phases: initial phase (up to 6 weeks after surgery), intermediate phase (6-12 weeks after surgery), and late phase (3 or more months after surgery). Rehabilitation’s golden period is within the first 6 months after the surgery and appropriate rehabilitation especially during the first 24 hours after the surgery can reduce pain, increase range of motion, and ultimately reduce the length of hospital stay. Focus of the exercise is to increase strength and flexibility of the leg muscles, to increase the range of motion of the knee joint, and ultimately to prevent joint stiffness and deep vein thrombosis. Continuous passive motion machine can be used to increase knee’s range of motion while neuromuscular electrical stimulation can be used to increase strength and function of quadriceps muscle, ultimately improve patients’ ability to walk to regain normal functions in daily lives.