Effectiveness of structured rehabilitation program on the quality of life and functional outcome following total knee replacement in Indian population a randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Total knee replacement is the commonest gold standard surgical intervention in relieving pain, improving physical functions and quality of life in end stage osteoarthritis No single study has been conducted among Indian population using Total knee replacement rehabilitation with a randomized controlled trial design The aim is to find out the effectiveness of structured rehabilitation program on the quality of life and functional outcome following total knee replacement in Indian population The study participants included patients admitted for Total knee replacement under Orthopedics unit of Sri Ramachandra Hospital Chennai The experimental group received structured exercise program and the control group received the standard care. All the outcomes were measured at baseline preoperative 2 weeks and after three months of follow up. A total of 220 participants were included in the study and 201 completed follow up evaluation at 3 months The structured rehabilitation program was found to exhibit significant improvements in all domains of quality of life and functional outcome The mean knee flexion range reached 101 degrees at three months follow up further analysis revealed significant improvements in isometric muscle strength of Quadriceps and Hamstring muscle at three months following Total knee replacement The six minute walk distance 6MWD between groups with highest mean walking distance 386 point 85m was observed in experimental group newline