Use of the Orthoglide for Improved Patient Outcome Following Total Knee Replacement

Total knee replacements are a common orthopaedic procedure undertaken at Blackpool Victoria Hospital. Following surgery patients are routinely seen by Physiotherapists who prescribe exercises to improve the range of movement and strength of the knee joint, thus aiding recovery. One of the key exercises prescribed involves the bending and straightening of the knee to improve range of movement. At this early stage of rehabilitation , due to weakness in the knee joint, reducing any resistance to this motion is beneficial. The Orthoglide device is designed to aid the patient in performing this movement by reducing the friction/resistance caused by the heel sliding against the bed. Currently this is achieved using a 'slider board' and placing a rolled up piece of fabric under the patients heel. The aim of this study is to investigate whether or not issuing an Orthoglide device to patients following total knee replacements improves functional outcomes reported by the patient at 6 weeks and 12 weeks post-surgery. Participants will be assigned to either receive an Orthoglide device and standard Physiotherapy or standard Physiotherapy alone. A series of patient reported outcome measures will be taken pre-surgery, 6 weeks post surgery and 12 weeks post surgery and the results compared.