AB1098-HPR Comparison between Kinesiotaping and Cold Therapy on Muscle Strength Functional Performance Outcomes after Total Knee Arthroplasty: Preliminary Results of A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: E. Yuksel, B. Unver, V. Karatosun
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2016)

<h3>Background</h3> Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are increasing steadily each year. Ninety percent of patients reported reduced pain, improved functional ability, and greater health related quality of life after TKA. Kinesiotaping (KT), a type of elastic tape that is being increasingly used for the management of pain and oedema after surgery (1). Cold therapy (CT) can also help relieve pain and swelling during early postoperative period (2). These two application may have impact on functional performance outcomes in patients with TKA. The number of studies that include KT in the rehabilitation process is increasing, but there isn9t any study that compare KT application and CT after TKA. <h3>Objectives</h3> To compare the effectiveness of kinesiotaping and cold therapy on muscle strength and functional performance outcomes in patients with TKA during early postoperative period. <h3>Methods</h3> Fifteen patents with TKA randomly assigned to control, KT and CT groups (nC=nKT=nCT=5). KT group received KT for lymphatic correction and rectus femoris facilitation technique. CT group received CT immediately after operation and following postoperative days. After surgery, all patients received standard post-operative treatment. After operation, pain intensity, active range of motion and knee function score [Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score] and walking speed was evaluated using the Iowa Ambulation Velocity Scale. Isometric muscle strength measure of quadriceps femoris and hamstring muscles assessed by Hand-Held Dynamometer. All measurements evaluated at the discharge. One way <i>ANOVA</i> was used in statistical analysis. <h3>Results</h3> There was a significant group interaction in pain scores and active range of motion of knee (p=0.005). Following up this interaction, the KT group and CT group have lower pain score at discharge in comparison with control group (p=0.019). The KT group and CT group have higher range of motion of knee flexion at discharge (p=0.017). However, there was no significant differences between KT group and CT group (p&gt;0.05). There was also significant group interaction in functional performance outcomes (p=0.033). KT group and CT group have better HSS score (p=0.010) and walking speed (p=0.013), but KT group and CT group <i>have no superiority</i> over each other in terms of functional performance outcomes (p&gt;0.05). There was no significant in quadriceps femoris (QF) and hamstring muscles in groups. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Our preliminary results suggest that KT and CT reduce postoperative pain in patients with TKA in inpatient period. KT group and CT group have better knee functional score. Possible mechanisms of better functional performance in KT and CT group could be due to lower pain score. Functional activities may have limited by high level of pain after surgery. Both KT and CT are cost-effective to achieve sufficient pain relief following TKA. Sufficient pain relief may influence functional performance. However, both KT and CT have no impact on muscles strength. In conclusion, KT and CT can be used with standard post-operative treatment in patients with TKA, and they have no <i>s</i>uperiority over each other. However, future study on a larger sample of subjects is needed to attain more clear results. <h3>References</h3> Donec V &amp; Kriščiūnas A (2014). European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicine. Adie et al. (2012). Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 9. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None declared