Comparison of Traditional Physical Therapy to Internet-Based Physical Therapy after Knee Arthroscopy: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Patient Outcomes and Satisfaction

Abstract

Objectives: Knee arthroscopy results in significant improvements in functional outcomes, pain and quality of life for patients suffering from meniscal tears. Traditionally, patients have undergone formal physical therapy (PT) after knee arthroscopy to regain function. Prior studies have demonstrated that patients who undergo internet-based PT after total knee arthroplasty performed as well as patients receiving traditional PT, but this has not been studied in the knee arthroscopy population. The goal of this study is to compare traditional outpatient physical therapy to internet-based physical therapy in patients undergoing knee arthroscopy for partial meniscectomy. Methods: Patients undergoing knee arthroscopy from October 2017 to September 2018 for partial meniscectomy were enrolled. Patients were randomized to either an outpatient or internet-based physical therapy program. Participants in the outpatient physical therapy were prescribed PT for 2 sessions per week for 4-6 weeks while participants in the online physical therapy group were instructed to login daily to track progress and complete their exercises a minimum of 3 times per week. Additionally, participants completed 4 questionnaires: VR-12 mental and physical health, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), Modified Cincinnati Rating System (MCRS) and Lysholm pre-operatively, 1 week, 6 weeks and 6 months after surgery. The primary outcome of knee function was measured via the IKDC. Results: Of the 97 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 51 (52.6%) were in the internet-based physical therapy group and 46 (47.4%) were in the outpatient PT group. There were 57 males (58.8%) and 40 females (41.2%). Participants in the online physical therapy group logged into the platform an average of 2.74 times pre-operatively and 14.99 times post-operatively. Additionally, patients viewed their PT exercise videos, on average, 5.58 times pre-operatively and 36.71 times post-operatively. At final follow-up, there was no significant difference in the primary outcome with an average IKDC score for the online physical therapy (71.83) compared to outpatient PT group (74.23) [p = 0.699]. Additionally, there was no significant difference noted in the three secondary outcome measures between the internet-based physical therapy group and the outpatient PT group at final follow-up (Table 1). Furthermore, no significant difference was noted between the two patient cohorts pre-operatively and 1 week and 6 weeks after surgery in all four outcome measures (Table 1). Conclusion: The results of our study indicate that patients using internet-based PT had similar functional outcomes as patients using traditional outpatient PT following knee arthroscopy for partial meniscectomy. [Table: see text]