Does Joint Immobilization Following Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty Improve Range of Motion Following Surgery?

Overview

The goal of this study is to evaluate if knee immobilization for 10 days following revision total knee arthroplasty (rTKA) improves knee joint range of motion at 3 months postoperatively compared to standard of care postoperative protocol. Participants will be assigned to one of two groups. One group will wear a knee brace that keeps the knee straight for 10 days after surgery and will not perform knee range of motion exercises during that time. The other group will not wear a brace and will follow the standard physical therapy program, including knee range of motion exercises, starting after surgery.

Knee immobilization after revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remains unexplored in the literature despite its potential to address key challenges in the post-operative management and rehabilitation in these patients. Revision TKA is typically associated with higher rates of complications such as instability, malalignment, extensor mechanism disruption, and stiffness. Given the intricate nature of revision procedures and the increased risk of suboptimal outcomes, effective strategies for optimizing functional recovery and minimizing post-operative pain are critical. Semirigid extension bracing, a form of knee immobilization, has shown promise in primary TKA in improving pain management, promoting knee range of motion (ROM), and reducing opioid consumption. However, its role in revision TKA remains unknown. Exploring the use of knee immobilization in the revision TKA population could provide a non-pharmacological, cost-effective approach to addressing pain, minimizing complications, and improving long-term functional outcomes.