Shelbourne Releases New Information on Knee Re...( Research fro...),Health

Research from the Shelbourne Knee Center shows most patients can avoid total knee replacement; most improve with rehabilitation and are able to avoid surgery.

Indianapolis, IN (PRWEB) July 20, 2009 -- Research findings show that patients can significantly reduce their knee pain and improve their function with nonoperative treatment, allowing them to postpone or completely avoid total knee replacement surgery. The study, conducted by Dr. K. Donald Shelbourne, was the first study to document the effectiveness of increasing range of motion in the treatment of deconditioned and arthritic knees.

The study group included 50 patients (25 men, 25 women, mean age 53.2 years) with knee pain and range of motion loss compared to their opposite, normal knee. Most patients (41/50) had osteoarthritis of the knee and had been told by other physicians that they should have a total knee replacement. All patients underwent physical therapy including a daily home exercise program. The focus of the rehabilitation program was to improve range of motion, specifically the ability to completely straighten the knee. The goal was to restore symmetry compared to the opposite, normal knee.

Results of the Study
All patients had improvement in knee extension (straightening) and all but 4 patients had improvement in knee flexion (bending). As range of motion improved, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) survey scores also improved, indicating lower levels of pain and disability.

Extension (straightening) deficit
Initial Evaluation 10°
Final follow-up 3°

Flexion (bending) deficit
Initial Evaluation 19°
Final follow-up 9°

IKDC survey score (out of 100 points)
Initial Evaluation 34.5
Final follow-up 70.5

Pain rating (0-10 scale)
Initial Evaluation 6.0
Final follow-up 2.5

Of the 50 patients in this
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