Article

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) in the
early postoperative period after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) to reduce edema
and pain and improve knee range of motion. DESIGN: Prospective randomized
controlled trial. SETTING: Private hospital and functional rehabilitation clinic.
PARTICIPANTS: Consecutive sample of patients (N=43; 53 knees) scheduled for TKA.
INTERVENTION: MLD (vs no MLD) on days 2, 3, and 4 postoperatively. Both groups
underwent conventional, concomitant physical therapy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
Clinical assessment was undertaken pre- and postoperatively prior to and after
the designated postoperative MLD sessions (days 2, 3, and 4) and at 6 weeks
postsurgery. This included active knee flexion and extension range of motion,
lower limb girths (ankle, midpatella, thigh, and calf), and knee pain using a
numeric rating scale and the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score.
RESULTS: A significant group effect was observed for active knee flexion, with
post hoc tests demonstrating a significantly greater active knee flexion in the
MLD group when compared with the control (no MLD) group at the final measure
prior to hospital discharge (day 4 postsurgery) and at 6 weeks postsurgery. There
were no further group effects observed for the remaining patient-reported and
functional outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: MLD in the early postoperative stages after TKA
appears to improve active knee flexion up to 6 weeks postsurgery, in addition to
conventional care.
CI - Copyright (c) 2013 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS