Effect of continuous passive motion (CPM) protocols on outcomes after
total knee arthroplasty. In this prospective randomized controlled study, 147
patients were assigned to 1 of 3 treatment groups: CPM from 08 to 408 and increased
by 108 per day, CPM from 908 to 508 (early flexion) and gradually progressed into
full extension over a 3-day period, and a no-CPM group. The CPM was administered
twice a day for 3 hours over a 5-day period. All patients participated in the same
postoperative physiotherapy program. Patients were assessed preoperatively, day 5,
3 months, and 1 year postoperatively. The early flexion group had significantly more
range of flexion than both the standard and control groups at day 5. There was no
significant difference between the groups for any other variable tested at any time
frame. Key words: total knee arthroplasty, CPM, rehabilitation, outcomes.
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