Manual post-operative rehabilitation versus motorised splint following total knee replacement: The merits and drawbacks of motor rail therapy

The question arose as to whether purely manual post-operative treatment following the insertion of a knee joint endoprosthesis was at least as effective as the additional use of a motorised splint. Methodology: In the present study, 40 participants with osteoarthritis who had undergone knee replacement surgery with a Genesis II knee endoprosthesis were assigned to the two study groups based on a cut-off date. Patients operated on before the cut-off date were additionally treated with a motorised splint, whilst those operated on after the cut-off date received manual treatment only. The following parameters were compared: improvement in range of motion, measured using a standard goniometer. Stability (anterior, posterior and latero-medial instability), leg axis alignment, pain and the patients' ability to cope with everyday life without subjective limitations are assessed using the Knee Society Score. The WOMAC score is used to provide a detailed picture of the patient's subjective ability to cope with activities of daily living. Keywords: motorised splint, CPM, knee endoprosthesis, total knee replacement, mobility, ROM, WOMAC score, Knee Society Score.