Physical Therapy Rehabilitation After Total Knee Replacement: A Case Report

Adhinda Puteri Ayu Zahwany; Totok Budi Santoso; Galih Adhi Ishak Setiawan

doi:10.24843/mifi.000001324

Authors

Adhinda Puteri Ayu Zahwany Professional Physical Therapy Program, Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta Author
Totok Budi Santoso Professional Physical Therapy Program, Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta Author
Galih Adhi Ishak Setiawan PKU Muhammadiyah Hospital Yogyakarta, Indonesia Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24843/mifi.000001324

Keywords:

Osteoarthritis, Knee; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee, Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Modalities, Range of Motion, Articular

Abstract

Background: Advanced knee osteoarthritis frequently leads to severe pain and functional limitation, often requiring total knee replacement (TKR). Postoperative rehabilitation is essential to restore joint mobility and muscle strength.

Objective: To describe the clinical outcomes of a structured multimodal physical therapy program in a patient following TKR due to grade 4 knee osteoarthritis.

Methods: This case report was prepared in accordance with CARE guidelines. A 71-year-old woman initiated outpatient physical therapy approximately 12 weeks after left TKR. The intervention consisted of four sessions including infrared therapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), and progressive therapeutic exercise. Outcomes included Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), knee range of motion (ROM), Manual Muscle Testing (MMT), and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC).

Results: After four sessions, knee flexion improved from 125° to 130° (+5°). Pain during movement decreased from 4/10 to 1/10 (–3 points). Muscle strength improved from MMT grade 4/5 to 5/5. WOMAC score increased from 55 to 70 (+15 points).

Conclusion: In this single case, multimodal physical therapy was associated with reduced pain and improved knee function during early outpatient rehabilitation following TKR. Findings should be interpreted cautiously due to the single-case design.