D. Beverland
230
The economic gains of not having to undergo
outpatient physiotherapy are considerable
particularly in transport and staffing costs.
As can be seen from the figures below our
population are generally within the age limits
of retirement. It is possible that in younger
patients outpatient physiotherapy could affect
the speed of return to work and the duration of
sickness payments although this would have to
be offset against the cost of attending
physiotherapy.
In conclusion, in our population outpatient
physiotherapy did not improve the range of
knee motion or other outcome measures at one
year after primary total knee arthroplasty and
therefore at present “self-rehabilitation” does
not seem unreasonable.
Literature
[1] Mockford BJ1, Thompson NW, Humphreys P,
BeverlandDE. Does a standard outpatient physiotherapy
regime improve the range of knee motion after primary total
knee arthroplasty?
J Arthroplasty. 2008 Dec; 23(8): 1110-4
.