Continuous passive motion for prevention and rehabilitation of knee stiffness--(a clinical evaluation).

This is a study of 43 knees in 42 patients, in whom a continuous passive motion was used to prevent stiffness of the knee and to assist restoration of a range of motion for a variety of disorders of the knee joint. CPM was given for an average of 6 hours daily in split sessions for a total duration of 3 weeks. Various clinical parameters were maintained and a scoring system was designed. It was observed that CPM caused little or no pain and elicited excellent patient compliance. There was a rapid subsidence of edema and effusion and a shorter hospital stay. 83% of cases had excellent or good results. There were no adverse effects, but there were a few minor complications. The study revealed that CPM is a valuable component of the therapeutic programme for preventing knee stiffness and aiding the speedy restoration of joint function without compromising healing of tissues.