Personalized Rehabilitation Following Total Knee Arthroplasty: Integrating Clinical and Imaging Perspectives
Ovidiu Chiriac, Bogdan Sorin Capitanu, Mihai Emanuel Gherghe, Călina Maier, Emi Marinela Preda, Romică Cergan, Cristian Scheau
Abstract
Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) is the final treatment option for patients with advanced knee os-teoarthritis, aimed at restoring mobility, improving stability, and alleviating pain. Even with successful TKA and proper component placement, patients may struggle to achieve optimal range of motion and muscle strength without a structured rehabilitation program. Various re-habilitation protocols and adjunctive techniques are available to assist physical therapists during recovery, yet no universal consensus exists on a personalized approach. This narrative review summarizes rehabilitation techniques for pre- and post-TKA recovery published over the past 15 years. Optimal outcomes require preoperative patient education, including lifestyle changes. Postoperatively, initial emphasis is placed on effective pain management to support adherence to rehabilitation. Two main types of programs are used: rapid rehabilitation and standard proto-cols. While both yield similar outcomes, they differ in intensity and speed. Physical therapists may incorporate adjuncts like cold therapy, compression, electrical stimulation, or laser therapy to enhance recovery. It is also crucial to identify complications that may occur after TKA or dur-ing rehabilitation, such as peroneal nerve palsy, flexion contracture, or stiffness, as early detec-tion allows for tailoring the rehabilitation program to each patient’s specific needs.