Guidelines for the early restoration of active knee flexion after total knee arthroplasty: Implications for rehabilitation and early intervention

Objectives To investigate the association between active knee flexion at initial (1-2wk) and final (7wk) outpatient visits after total knee arthroplasty (TKA), and to develop a guide for the expected progression of knee flexion in the subacute postoperative phase. Design Prospective case series. Setting Rehabilitation clinic. Participants Consecutive sample of patients (N=108) who underwent TKA between December 2007 and August 2012. Intervention TKA followed by a standardized, 5-week outpatient rehabilitation program (2 sessions per week) immediately after hospital discharge. Main Outcome Measure Active knee flexion was recorded on the patient's first outpatient visit (1-2wk) and then biweekly throughout the patient's 5-week outpatient rehabilitation program. Results Active knee flexion at initial (1-2wk) and final (7wk) outpatient visits were significantly correlated (r=.86, P