Does a standard outpatient physiotherapy regime improve the range of knee motion after primary total knee arthroplasty?

The aim of this study was to investigate whether a standard course of outpatient physiotherapy improves the range of knee motion after primary total knee arthroplasty. One hundred and fifty patients were randomly assigned into one of 2 groups. One group received outpatient physiotherapy for 6 weeks (group A). Another received no outpatient physiotherapy (group B). Range of knee motion was measured preoperatively and at 1-year review. Validated knee scores and an SF-12 health questionnaire were also recorded. Although patients in group A achieved a greater range of knee motion than those in group B, this was not statistically significant. No difference either was noted in any of the outcome measures used. In conclusion, outpatient physiotherapy does not improve the range of knee motion after primary total knee arthroplasty.