Total Knee Arthroplasty Rehabilitation: Case Report

Background and Purpose: Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is a common problem in the world population and total knee replacement has become the gold standard for repair when the OA becomes severe enough. Total knee replacement, however, is not the complete answer to knee OA. Without rehabilitation these patients may struggle to be fully functional. The purpose of this case study was to describe the rehabilitation of a geriatric patient who underwent TKA and benefited from the use of hydrotherapy in his recovery. Case Description: This report will look at the rehabilitation of one 73-year-old male patient and interventions used to help him return to being functionally independent. The patient had undergone right total knee arthroplasty and had previously undergone bilateral total hip replacement. Interventions included manual therapy, hydrotherapy, therapeutic exercise, interferential current and cryotherapy. Outcomes: The main outcome measures used in this case were strength, range of motion, pain and the Outpatient Physical Therapy Improvement in Motion Assessment Log Instrument. The patient was eventually able to make a full return to his activities despite not regaining the complete range of motion expected after total knee arthroplasty