The effect of intensive exercise program and kinesiotaping following total knee arthroplasty on functional recovery of patients

BACKGROUND: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a gold standard for terminal term gonarthrosis patients in order to diminish pain, correct deformities, and regain stability. Postoperative functional recovery of patients depends on the current postoperative rehabilitation program to an important extent. The purpose of our study is to compare midterm functional level of gonarthrosis patients who were included in physiotherapy rehabilitation program following TKA with people in similar ages without any surgical indication nor intervention. We have aimed also to compare functionality of people who had additional kinesiotaping (KT) treatment with people who had conservative treatment only after knee arthroplasty. METHODS: Functional level and knee functionality of people in study were evaluated at the end of postoperative first month by 6-min walk test and Lysholm knee score respectively. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference between groups with and without TKA in terms of height, weight, body mass index, Lysholm score, and 6-min walk test score (p > 0.05). In patient group with TKA, people with postoperative KT treatment had greater 6-min walk test score for postoperative first month (p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: TKA is considered a gold standard procedure in order to increase the quality of life and improve functionality of terminal term gonarthrosis patients. It is necessary to immediately control pain and edema of knee and apply intensive rehabilitation program aimed at muscle strengthening around hip and knee in order to increase the success of operation.