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Purpose: We attempted to determine the effect of immediate post-operative knee range of motion (ROM) photographs on improving ROM after total knee arthroplasty (TKA).Methods: Sixty patients, scheduled for unilateral primary TKA, were randomized into two groups. The photo group (n = 30) were immediately shown post-TKA knee ROM photographs as motivation for rehabilitation. The non-photo group (n = 30) received identical post-operative pain control and rehabilitation programs. Post-operative knee ROM and Knee Society Scores (KSS) at day three, six weeks, three months, six months, one year, and two years were evaluated. Outcome assessors were blinded to the groups during the study.Results: Patients in the photo group had better knee flexion on day three (99.9° ± 15.3°, 95% confidence interval (CI) 94.1-105.7° vs. 92.3° ± 11.4°, 95% CI 87.9-96.8°; p = 0.038) and at six weeks (120.9° ± 13.4°, 95% CI 115.7-126.0° vs. 112.5° ± 13.6°, 95% CI 107.2-117.8°; p = 0.023); however, there were no differences in range of flexion beyond six weeks post-operatively. Knee extension did not significantly differ throughout. Clinical KSS was significantly higher in the photo group at six weeks (90.7° ± 6.2° vs. 86.6° ± 6.4°, p = 0.017). Functional KSS showed no differences between groups during follow-up.Conclusion: Showing knee ROM photographs seemed to result in significant improvement of knee flexion and clinical KSS in the first 6 weeks post-TKA and may be recommended as part of post-TKA rehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this prospective, randomised and single blinded study was to evaluate the efficiency and safety of a new cryotherapy device in patients undergoing unilateral, primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Our hypothesis was that patients administered to the new cryotherapy device would perform better than patients receiving a conventional standard cold therapy regimen.Methods: Ninety-seven patients were randomised into two groups receiving either the cTreatment® (new cryotherapy device) or the standard cold therapy protocol (including cold pack application for six days after the surgical intervention). We evaluated the following endpoints consisting of range of motion (ROM), pain intensity, and knee girth on admission day and the second, fourth, and sixth post-operative day (POD).Results: A statistically significant benefit of the new cryotherapy device was detected regarding the ROM on the sixth POD with an average gain of 7 degrees (p = 0.021). Pain in the numeric rating scale (NRS) score in motion was significantly lower in the cTreatment® group on the second POD (p = 0.034). There were no statistically significant differences between groups regarding the NRS in rest, patient controlled analgesia (PCA) consumption, and girth measurements. No adverse effects were observed in both study groups.Conclusion: The new computer-controlled cooling therapy device provides benefits in terms of early post-operative remobilisation with respect to ROM and pain, which might be attributed to a reduced inflammatory response, as well as reduced secretion and bleeding. The cTreatment® system appears to be a safe and efficient procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Severe post-operative pain is one of the main problems after total knee arthroplasty. In this study, we investigated the effect of a peri-articular multimodal drugs injections pre-emptively on post-operative pain control and knee functions following total knee arthroplasty.Methods and Materials: This study was a double-blind randomized clinical trial. Eligible cases including 137 patients-aged 30 to 80 years old-were randomly divided into one of two groups: the drug group received a cocktail consisting of bupivacaine hydrochloride, morphine sulphate, epinephrine, and ketorolac. The control group received epinephrine only. The injections were given 15 minutes before incision. Joint range of motion (ROM) and the severity of pain by using visual analog scale (VAS) of 1 to 10 and patient's facial expression, were assessed in the pre-operative visit, after 24 hours, 48 hours, and six weeks after operation. Knee Society score (KSS) was recorded before the operation, six weeks, and six months after the operation for each patient.Results: The data of VAS showed no significant difference between the groups before operation but there was statistically significant difference between the two groups at 24 hours, 48 hours, and six weeks after the operation. In KSS, difference was not significant between the two groups before the operation and six months after surgery while our results showed a statistically significant difference between groups six weeks after the operation. In ROM, there was no significant difference between the groups before operation. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups at 24 hours, 48 hours and six weeks after the operation. Complications were recorded at six weeks after surgery.Conclusion: Peri-articular multimodal injection including bupivacaine, morphine, and ketorolac preferably with pre-emptive injection method provided proper post-operative pain relief, less opioid consumption, and better early rehabilitation following TKA at 48 hours after surgery.Level Of Study: Level I. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Autologous Matrix-Induced Chondrogenesis (AMIC®) utilizing a type I/III collagen membrane was compared with microfracture (MFx) alone in focal cartilage lesions of the knee at one, two and five years.Methods: Forty-seven patients (aged 37 ± 10 years, mean defect size 3.6 ± 1.6 cm2) were randomized and treated either with MFx, with sutured or glued AMIC® in a prospective multicentre clinical trial.Results: After improvement for the first two years in all subgroups, a progressive and significant score degradation was observed in the MFx group, while all functional parameters remained stable for least five years in the AMIC® groups. At two and five years, MRI defect filling was more complete in the AMIC® groups. No treatment-related adverse events were reported.Conclusions: AMIC® is an effective cartilage repair procedure in the knee resulting in stable clinical results significantly better than the MFx group at five years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]