Starting rehab sooner 'improves recover in knee surgery patients'

Patients who begin rehabilitation sooner following knee arthroplasty surgery experience an improved recovery compared to those who do not, research has shown.

A study, published in journal Clinical Rehabilitation, found that commencing physical therapy within 24 hours of surgery could improve pain, range of joint motion and muscle strength, potentially making these patients less likely to find a care home.

It was found that those who began rehabilitation earlier were discharged from hospital two days before those in the control group as well as undergoing five fewer rehabilitation sessions before they reached this stage.

"Orthopaedics, especially knee replacement surgery, is one area that may lend itself to accelerated discharge," noted author Adelaida Ma Castro Sanchez of the University of Almeria.

Meanwhile, Professor Alan Silman, medical director of Arthritis Research UK, has said that joint replacements are more likely to fail in overweight patients, with half of those who are obese not recovering as well following surgery.

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