Rehabilitation Care Pathways for Knee Replacement
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial aims to improve the recovery process after knee replacement surgery. Researchers are testing a new rehab plan, called Optimized Rehab Scheduling, to determine if it enhances patient recovery compared to usual methods. The goal is to ensure that everyone, regardless of background, receives the best possible care. This trial is open to individuals scheduled for a knee replacement at a University of Pittsburgh Medical Center hospital who plan to use their rehab services afterward. As an unphased trial, it offers patients the chance to contribute to innovative rehab strategies that could enhance recovery for future patients.
What prior data suggests that this new care pathway for knee replacement rehabilitation is safe?
Research has shown that performing rehabilitation exercises at home after knee replacement surgery is both safe and effective. One study found that home rehab serves as a good alternative to clinic visits, offering safety and cost savings. Another study discovered that rehab through online communication, known as interactive telerehabilitation, is safe and well-received by patients. These findings suggest that the new rehab methods under testing should be safe and comfortable for most people.12345
Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about the "Optimized Rehab Scheduling" for knee replacement recovery because it offers a more structured and potentially effective pathway than the usual rehab process. Unlike the standard rehab, which involves a series of home health visits and outpatient therapy with flexible scheduling, the optimized pathway provides a guided, systematic approach from inpatient care to home health and outpatient therapy, ensuring patients receive consistent support and monitoring. This tailored scheduling is designed to enhance recovery outcomes by addressing individual patient needs more comprehensively, potentially leading to quicker and more complete recoveries.
What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for knee replacement rehabilitation?
Research has shown that a well-planned rehabilitation schedule after knee replacement surgery can improve recovery. This trial will compare different rehabilitation care pathways. Participants in the "Intervention - Optimized Rehab" arm will follow a new "optimized" pathway, while those in the "Control - Usual Rehab" arm will receive post-TKA rehabilitation according to the current usual pathway. Studies have found that a clear and consistent care plan helps patients regain better knee function and enjoy a higher quality of life. For instance, one study discovered that standardized rehab guidelines led to better results and greater patient satisfaction. Additionally, starting intense rehab exercises early has been linked to faster recovery. Overall, these findings suggest that a carefully planned rehab approach can effectively enhance recovery after knee replacement surgery.35678
Who Is on the Research Team?
Allyn M Bove, DPT, PhD
Principal Investigator
University of Pittsburgh
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for adults who have had total knee replacement surgery and are starting rehabilitation. People of all backgrounds can join, as the study aims to improve recovery for everyone after knee surgery.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants undergo knee replacement surgery followed by an optimized rehabilitation care pathway
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for satisfaction and effectiveness of the rehabilitation pathway
Extension
Additional interviews with physical therapists to assess the optimized care pathway
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Optimized Rehab Scheduling
- TKA Journey - patient education
- Usual Rehab
Trial Overview
The study compares usual rehab care with a new program that includes patient education and optimized scheduling of physical therapy sessions to help patients recover better after knee replacement.
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Participants receiving TKA in the 'intervention' practice will be guided by clinical staff to follow the new "optimized" pathway. The progression from inpatient to home health to outpatient physical therapy will remain the same, but with the addition of the interventions described below.
Participants in the 'control' practice will receive post-TKA rehabilitation according to the current usual pathway. This typically involves discharge to home on post-operative day 0 or 1, followed by 5 visits of home health physical therapy, followed by outpatient physical therapy at a frequency and duration deemed appropriate by the care team.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of Pittsburgh
Lead Sponsor
National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)
Collaborator
Citations
Optimal Duration of Physical Therapy Following Total Knee ...
In this study, patients achieved roughly the same mean degree of active flexion within 6 weeks regardless of number of PT sessions attended, ...
Rehabilitation protocols following total knee arthroplasty
The CG showed higher Knee Outcome Survey-Activities of Daily Living (KOS-ADL) scores (PS: 85.48% vs. SPT: 79.18% vs. CG: 98.01%; P<0.001), greater flexion (PS: ...
Optimizing Physical Activity Outcomes After Total Knee ...
The primary objective of this randomized controlled trial is to determine efficacy of physical activity behavior-change telerehabilitation on ...
Effectiveness and safety of outpatient rehabilitation versus ...
In conclusion, our systematic review and meta-analysis provide compelling evidence that home-based rehabilitation following knee arthroplasty ...
5.
cdn.ps.emap.com
cdn.ps.emap.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/How-to-optimise-care-of-a-patient-undergoing-knee-replacement-surgery-NEW.pdfHow-to-optimise-care-of-a-patient-undergoing-knee- ...
Evans et al. (2019) estimate that 70% of partial knee replacements last 25 years and 82% of total knee replacements last 25 years. After the decision has been ...
Effectiveness and safety of outpatient rehabilitation versus ...
Conclusions. Home-based rehabilitation post-knee arthroplasty appears as an effective, safe, and cost-efficient alternative to outpatient rehabilitation.
Knee Replacement Rehabilitation Care Pathways
Participants receiving TKA in the 'intervention' practice will be guided by clinical staff to follow the new "optimized" pathway. The ...
8.
massgeneral.org
massgeneral.org/assets/mgh/pdf/orthopaedics/sports-medicine/physical-therapy/rehabilitation-protocol-for-total-knee-arthroplasty.pdfRehabilitation Protocol for Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA)
This protocol is intended to guide clinicians through the post-operative course for total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This protocol is time based (dependent on ...
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