MedPath

Formal vs. Home-Based Physical Therapy After Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Osteoarthritis
Interventions
Other: Home Base Physical Therapy
Other: Outpatient Physical Therapy
Registration Number
NCT02883998
Lead Sponsor
Rush University Medical Center
Brief Summary

To determine whether home-based physical therapy (HBPT) is not clinically inferior to formal outpatient physical therapy (OPT) after hospital discharge of patients undergoing a unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA).

Detailed Description

Given that current practice trends are requiring treatments to be both clinically and cost effective, research has begun to focus on evaluating the effect of specific interventions. Many surgeon and patients have believed formal OPT is necessary to optimize functional outcomes following orthopaedic procedures. However, the literature has begun to call into question the need for OPT following total hip arthroplasty, total knee arthroplasty, total shoulder arthroplasty, anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, meniscectomy, and rotator cuff repair.

A randomized controlled trial was done to compare face-to-face rehabilitation with in-home telerehabilitation following total knee arthroplasty. Utilizing the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) as the primary outcome, the authors demonstrated noninferiority of telerehabilitation compared to face-to-face rehabilitation. Other secondary outcomes of Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), range of motion, and isometric strength did not exhibit a difference between the treatment groups. (see citation below)

Based on these findings, it appears that the high cost of formal OPT doesn't translate into a meaningful improvement of functional outcome. Because patient's undergoing UKA have a higher pre-operative functional status than patients having a TKA (Total Knee Arthroplasty), it is reasonable to think that patients following a UKA are better equipped to succeed with HBPT. As a result, the hypothesis of the current study is that HBPT will prove to be non-inferior to formal OPT in the setting of UKA.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
52
Inclusion Criteria
  • Scheduled for a unicompartmental knee arthroplasty
Exclusion Criteria
  • Require inpatient physical therapy beyond post-operative day one
  • < 18 years old
  • Decline to participate

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Home Base Physical Therapy GroupHome Base Physical TherapyPatients will be provided a packet of exercises and equipment to perform the home based physical therapy program. Patients will attend a single session of outpatient physical therapy prior to surgery no more than 4 weeks prior to the procedure to teach the patient how to perform the exercises.
Outpatient Physical Therapy GroupOutpatient Physical TherapyOnce the patient is cleared for discharged from the hospital, the patient will be given a prescription for outpatient physical therapy to attend 3 times per week for 6 weeks.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change from baseline in Knee Society Scoreat 3 weeks, 3 months, and 1 year after surgery
Change from baseline in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Indexat 3 weeks, 3 months, and 1 year after surgery
Change from baseline in Knee range of motionat 3 weeks, 3 months, and 1 year after surgery
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
ComplicationsWill be assessed at 3 weeks, 3 months, and 1 year after surgery

Deep Vein Thrombosis or Pulmonary Embolus Return to the OR within 30 days Re-admission within 30 days Superficial infection Deep infection Periprosthetic fracture Knee stiffness (defined as \< 90 degrees flexion at 3 weeks post-operative or \< 110 degrees flexion at 6 weeks post-operative)

Cost comparisonWill be assessed at 3 weeks, 3 months, and 1 year after surgery

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Rush University Medical Center

🇺🇸

Chicago, Illinois, United States

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath