The purpose of this research is to help determine if use of the Guardian brace during prehab and post-op rehab after TKA can help improve functional outcomes and reduce the incidence of post-operative flexion contractures which reduce knee range of motion after surgery.
This will be a prospective study with consecutive TKA patients with pre-operative flexion contractures of 5 degrees or greater. Patients will be randomized to one of two groups: 1) use of the Guardian knee brace peri-operatively, and 2) no Guardian brace use. Pre-operative range of motion (ROM) and leg strength will be tested (4 to 6 weeks pre-operatively and the week before surgery) as well as during the recovery period at 6 weeks and 3 months post-operatively. The study will attempt to quantify quadriceps and hamstring strength using a Medical Engineering TKR2000, which can digitally measure quadriceps and hamstring strength with accuracy equivalent to a Biodex Dynanometer. The TKR2000 also accurately measures terminal flexion and extension of the lower extremity. Pre- and post-operative patient reported outcome measures (KOOS JR. score) will also be collected.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
The Guardian Sport Rehabilitator knee brace has pneumatic condyles that can be used to support and control the knee joint as well as an extension swing assist design which automatically assists in extending the knee when the patient themselves may guard against it. The Guardian Rehabilitator Knee Brace is considered by the FDA as a Class I external medical device. It is used on label and therefore exempt from IDE requirements.The Guardian Brace FDA registration to manufacturer external limb devices is attached for reference.
NYU Langone Health
New York, New York, United States
Change in extensor leg strength
Measured by the TKR2000 which is a patient controlled mechanical over-pressure stretching and strengthening device designed and developed to diminish issues with muscle guarding. The device uses a lever arm with a comfortable foam roller padding placed against the patients' ankle and is moved by an electric actuator. At each scheduled visit, subjects will be examined to determine extensor leg strength on the affected leg.
Time frame: Visit 1( 1 week pre surgery), Visit 2 (2 weeks post surgery) , Visit 3 (6 weeks post surgery), Visit 4 ( 12 weeks post surgery)
Change in flexor leg strength
Measured by the TKR2000 which is a patient controlled mechanical over-pressure stretching and strengthening device designed and developed to diminish issues with muscle guarding. The device uses a lever arm with a comfortable foam roller padding placed against the patients' ankle and is moved by an electric actuator. At each scheduled visit, subjects will be examined to determine flexor leg strength on the affected leg.
Time frame: Visit 1( 1 week pre surgery), Visit 2 (2 weeks post surgery) , Visit 3 (6 weeks post surgery), Visit 4 ( 12 weeks post surgery)
Change in range of motion following knee replacement surgery
At each scheduled visit, subjects will be examined to determine their range of motion (ROM) in the affected leg to see the range of motion change from pre-op to post- op.
Time frame: Visit 1( 1 week pre surgery), Visit 2 (2 weeks post surgery) , Visit 3 (6 weeks post surgery), Visit 4 ( 12 weeks post surgery)
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