Devices for the prevention and treatment of knee stiffness after total knee arthroplasty

Abstract

Persistent pain and dysfunction following total knee arthroplasty require treatment beyond standard rehabilitation. This article discusses devices used to prevent and treat decreased range of motion. If deficits remain after initial standard therapy, multiple devices exist that can be used for nonoperative treatment. Load-control devices apply a constant force, producing variable soft-tissue displacement as tissues stretch. Static progressive stretch devices use the principle of stress relaxation by applying progressively increasing constant displacements. Both types of devices are reported to be effective in treating persistent knee stiffness. The authors feel that future developments will occur in improving treatment protocols for these devices.

Keywords::

• continuous passive motion
• device
• displacement-control
• load-control
• rehabilitation
• static progressive stretch
• stress relaxation
• total knee arthroplasty

Financial & competing interests disclosure

No external financial support was provided in support of the preparation of this work. Michael A Mont is a paid consultant for Styker Orthopaedics and Wright Medical Technologies, receives royalties from Stryker Orthopaedics, and has received institutional or research support from Stryker Orthopaedics, Wright Medical Technologies, Biomet, BrainLab, DePuy, Finsbury, Smith and Nephew, and Salient Surgical Technologies. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.