Abstract:

This prospective, randomized study compares functional outcomes between a novel support device (Secure Tracks™) and a standard walker following unilateral total knee replacement. Thirty patients were randomized for the study; 15 walker patients (70.7 +/- 6.4 yrs) and 15 Secure Track patients (68.2 +/- 6.7 yrs) (p=0.31). Total distance walked during all therapy sessions was nearly two times greater in the Secure Track (2,332 ft) than with the walker (1,241 ft)(p=.053). This trend began on the day of surgery (275 ft vs. 176 ft, p<.069) and was statistically significant by the following morning (287 ft vs. 151 ft, p=.019). Patients in the Secure Track spent a greater amount of time up and ambulating with the therapists in all sessions (.006< p >.30). At the first clinical follow-up, patients that had walked in the Secure Track completed the timed up and go test (TUG), a predictor of fall risk, 3 seconds faster than the standard rehabilitation group (9.6 vs. 12.9 seconds, p<.091). The novel therapy patients demonstrated significantly greater pain relief following the TUG test (p=.005). This study demonstrates that the choice of support device can increase patient ambulation following surgery, which will in turn improve functional outcomes and pain relief.

Authors:

David J. Jacofsky, MD, Sarah Kocisky, PA-C, Donald Dixon, PT, Marc C. Jacofsky, PhD

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