Traditional PT v Internet Based PT After Total Knee Arthroscopy

Study Overview
=================
Brief Summary
-----------------
Knee arthroscopy results in significant improvements in functional outcomes, pain relief and quality of life for patients suffering from mechanical symptoms associated with meniscal tears. Patients are able to return to their activities of daily living, occupation, or sport without significant limitations. Traditionally, patients have undergone formal physical therapy (PT) after knee arthroscopy to regain function. There is a significant cost and time commitment associated with traditional outpatient physical therapy. An internet based therapy program allows patients to perform therapy at home on their own time schedule. A recent study demonstrated that patients who undergo internet based PT after total knee arthroplasty performed as well patients receiving traditional physical therapy. These findings have not been studied in the knee arthroscopy patient population. The goal of this study is to compare traditional outpatient physical therapy rehabilitation to Internet-based rehabilitation in patients undergoing knee arthroscopy for partial meniscectomy. The purpose of this study is to compare functional outcome, and patient satisfaction, internet-based rehabilitation program vs. standard outpatient physical therapy after unilateral knee arthroscopy for meniscal tear.

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

Conditions
-----------------
Physical Therapy

Intervention / Treatment
-----------------
* Procedure: FORCE therapeutics (physical therapy)
* Procedure: Traditional Outpatient Physical Therapy


Participation Criteria
=================
Eligibility Criteria
-----------------
Inclusion Criteria: Any patient undergoing unilateral primary knee arthroscopy for meniscal tear Any patient 18 years or older Exclusion Criteria: Patients without access to the Internet Post-traumatic osteoarthritis Patients with ligamentous injury Patients with full thickness cartilage defects Patients with osteoarthritis or inflammatory arthritis Revision or conversion knee arthroscopy Patients receiving workers compensations Patients discharged to a rehabilitation unit or other form of respite care such as a skilled nursing facility, acute rehabilitation center, convalescent home, long-term care facility or nursing home.

Ages Eligible for Study
-----------------
Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
-----------------
All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
-----------------
Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
=================
How is the study designed?
-----------------

Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Traditional Physical Therapy<br>Participants who have undergone primary unilateral knee arthroscopy will undergo 6 weeks of formal outpatient physical therapy | Procedure: Traditional Outpatient Physical Therapy<br>* 6 weeks of outpatient physical therapy following arthroscopic knee surgery<br>|
| Active Comparator: Internet Based Physical Therapy<br>Participants who have undergone primary unilateral knee arthroscopy will undergo 6 weeks of internet based rehabilitation regime in the home through the online recovery program, FORCE Therapeutics | Procedure: FORCE therapeutics (physical therapy)<br>* 6 weeks of internet based physical therapy following arthroscopic knee surgery<br>|

What is the study measuring?
-----------------
Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Postoperative Knee Function | Investigators will be measuring whether there is an increase in participants function as assessed by the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) Subjective Knee Evaluation. This will be measured on a scale of 0-100 with 0 being the lowest level of function and 100 being the highest level of function | 4 months | 
| Cost analysis | cost analysis survey will be completed by participants to determine if there is a difference in outpatient physical therapy versus internet based physical therapy | 4 months | 
| Postoperative Physical therapy Patient Satisfaction | Participant satisfaction with physical therapy will be assessed using the physical therapy satisfaction evaluation. This consist of a single question asking the participant how satisfied they are with their surgery on a scale of 0-10. 0 being not satisfied at all and 10 being extremely satisfied. | 4 months |