Timing of rehabilitation on length of stay and cost in patients with hip or knee joint arthroplasty: A systematic review with meta-analysis

Abstract

ObjectiveTo investigate the role of early initiation of rehabilitation on length of stay (LOS) and cost following total hip arthroplasty, total knee arthroplasty, or unicompartmental knee arthroplasty.Data sourcesElectronic databases PubMed, CINAHL, Pedro, Embase, AMED, and the Cochrane Library were searched in July 2016. Five additional trials were identified through reference list scanning.Study selectionEligible studies were published in English language peer-reviewed journals; included participants that had undergone total hip arthroplasty, total knee arthroplasty, or unicompartmental knee arthroplasty reported clearly defined timing of rehabilitation onset for at least two groups; and reported at least one measure of LOS or cost. Inclusion criteria were applied by 2 independent authors, with disagreements being determined by a third author. Searching identified 1,029 potential articles, of which 17 studies with 26,614 participants met the inclusion criteria.Data extractionData was extracted independently by 2 authors, with disagreements being determined by a third author. Methodological quality of each study was evaluated independently by 2 authors using the Downs and Black checklist. Pooled analyses were analyzed using a random-effects model with inverse variance methods to calculate standardized mean differences (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals for LOS.Data synthesisWhen compared with standard care, early initiation of physical therapy demonstrated a decrease in length of stay for the 4 randomized clinical trials (SMD = -1.90; 95% CI -2.76 to -1.05; I2 = 93%) and for the quasi-experimental and 5 prospective studies (SMD = -1.47; 95% CI -1.85 to -1.10; I2 = 88%).ConclusionEarly initiation of rehabilitation following total hip arthroplasty, total knee arthroplasty, or unicompartmental knee arthroplasty is associated with a shorter LOS, a lower overall cost, with no evidence of an increased number of adverse reactions. Additional high quality studies with standardized methodology are needed to further examine the impact of early initiation of physical therapy among patients with joint replacement procedures.

The Effects of Programmed Cryotherapy and Continuous Passive Motion in Patients after Computer-Assisted Total Knee Arthroplasty: A prospective, randomized controlled trial

“…The effect of constructive systematic nursing interventions on ROM reached a significant difference. Early rehabilitation effect has demonstrated a better knee joint motion and performance [18]. These results were the same as the effect on ROM in this study.…”

The Effects of Immediate Programmed Cryotherapy and Continuous Passive Motion in Patients after Computer-Assisted Total Knee Arthroplasty: A prospective, randomized controlled trial

“…The effect of constructive systematic nursing interventions on ROM reached a signi cant difference. Early rehabilitation effect has demonstrated a better knee joint motion and performance [33]. These results were the same as the effect on ROM in this study.…”

Enhanced Selection of Candidates for Same-Day and Outpatient Total Knee Arthroplasty

“…Because surgery start time is typically determined a few weeks in advance and under the surgeon's control, we included this variable as preoperatively determined. Greater number of patientreported allergies has been associated with severe postoperative pain [17] and longer LOS [18] conferring 1.1 hours longer LOS per allergy reported [19,20]. We considered whether self-reported allergies might be a proxy for some other factor such as anxiety.…”