Role of Pre-operative Physiotherapy in Reducing Post-operative Complications in Joint Arthroplasty
Abstract
Background: Postoperative complications following total hip and knee arthroplasty remain a significant concern. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured preoperative physiotherapy program in reducing complications and improving outcomes in patients undergoing joint arthroplasty.
Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 200 patients scheduled for primary total hip or knee arthroplasty were randomly assigned to either a 6-week preoperative physiotherapy program (intervention group, n=100) or standard care (control group, n=100). The primary outcome was the incidence of postoperative complications within 30 days of surgery. Secondary outcomes included length of hospital stay, time to achieve functional milestones, pain scores, and functional outcomes at 3 months post-surgery.
Results: The intervention group demonstrated a significantly lower incidence of postoperative complications compared to the control group (11.6% vs 22.6%, p=0.041). Mean length of hospital stay was shorter in the intervention group (3.2 ± 1.1 days vs 4.1 ± 1.5 days, p<0.001). The intervention group achieved functional milestones earlier, reported lower pain scores, and showed improved functional outcomes at 3 months post-surgery (p<0.05 for all comparisons).
Conclusion: A structured preoperative physiotherapy program significantly reduces postoperative complications and improves functional outcomes in patients undergoing total hip and knee arthroplasty. These findings support the integration of prehabilitation into standard care pathways for joint replacement surgery.
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References
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