Abstract
BackgroundThe aim of this retrospective comparison study was to assess early functional recovery of total knee arthroplasty with home care assistance during COVID-19 lockdown.MethodsA total of 16 patients (27 knees involved) were divided into a pre-lockdown group (10 patients; 17 knees) and a post-lockdown group (6 patients, 10 knees) in terms of the time of surgeries performed before and after lockdown, respectively, due to COVID-19 pandemic. Patients of pre-lockdown group underwent rehabilitation under the guidance of trained physiotherapists for at-home sessions and under assisted physiotherapy. Patients of post-lockdown group followed the rehabilitation protocol of at-home sessions and under home-care assistance during COVID-19 lockdown. Functional recovery of the knee was assessed against the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, Junior. A p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsThe pre- and postoperative mean KOOS Junior of pre-lockdown group were 48.73 ± 2.64 and 64.91 ± 2.74, respectively (p < 0.001). The pre- and postoperative scores of post-lockdown group were 48.83 ± 2.83 and 67.84 ± 4.31 (p < 0.001), respectively. Intergroup comparison between pre- and postoperative KOOS Jr. revealed no significant differences (p > 0.05).ConclusionAlthough the COVID-19 lockdown affected the routine postoperative rehabilitation after total knee arthroplasty, the coordination among the surgeon, therapists, and home caregivers can provide sustained assistance in rehabilitation. The guidelines for practitioners and physiotherapists can benefit functional recovery of the knee.
Highlights
Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a highly successful treatment for osteoarthritis [1, 2]
We evaluated the efficacy of homebased care provision that ensured continued assistance in the rehabilitation during COVID-19 lockdown
We evaluated the patients in PRLD group with regard to pain along the operated limb, wound healing, and swelling of limb at the time of stitch removal (15 days after index arthroplasty)
Summary
Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a highly successful treatment for osteoarthritis [1, 2]. The lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic is a unique situation where no guidelines were available for patients’ postoperative management [2]. The Prime Minister of India announced a nationwide lockdown effective as of 25th March 2020 to prevent community transmission [3, 4] This unmatched event of this magnitude affected both the surgeons and patients who underwent TKA. No guidelines are available for practitioners and physiotherapists to follow and such unavailability further compounds the management dilemma. The aim of this retrospective comparison study was to assess early functional recovery of total knee arthroplasty with home care assistance during COVID-19 lockdown
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