Introduction
Injuries to the knee joint, like surgical therapies, lead to a significant restriction of motor joint functions. Early functional passive and active movement therapy is recommended to restore motor skills. In addition to passive manual movement therapy, power-assisted therapeutic movement splints have also been used for various indications for years. Basic scientific research into CPM therapy (continuous passive motion) began in the 1970s. Since the 1980s, CPM therapy has been used, initially in the inpatient area for immediate post-operative follow-up treatment with various purposes. In the early 1990s, the use of joint motion splints was introduced into outpatient care. Since then, such motor-driven movement splints have been prescribed as an aid, so that patients can also complete passive movement therapy at home on these CPM splints for several hours a day. Ensuring early functional mobilization has been a key focus after surgical interventions on joints since the 1990s and contributes significantly to the success of the therapy. Although the use of CPM is recognized in the medical literature, there are currently no guidelines from a German specialist society for defined CPM therapy in the knee joint.
The scientific basis of this CPM therapy is based on the 1994 by Dr. Salter published studies «The Physiologic Basis of Continuous Passive Motion for Articular Cartilage Healing and Regeneration. In it he presents his experiences after 23 years of basic research and 15 years of clinical practice.
The goal of Dr. Salter was to regenerate the cartilage. He performed the basic experimental work on a rabbit animal model. It was shown that the CPM therapy was well tolerated and significant, stimulating effects on the articular cartilage and extra-articular structures were detectable, adhesions and joint stiffening could be prevented and the regeneration of articular cartilage through neochondrogenesis was stimulated. Clinical applications then also showed that the hospital stay and the rehabilitation time could be reduced by CPM treatment.This led to a paradigm shift in the 1980s and 1990s with the development of early functional rehabilitation treatment. The CPM treatment became an integral part of the postoperative treatment of the newly developed cartilage regenerative surgical techniques (Brittberg et al. 1994, Steadman et al. 2002, Hangody et al.2008, Kon E et al. 2011, Knutsen et al. 2016, Saris et al 2018). In the majority of published RCTs related to cartilage regeneration, CPM treatment was performed during rehabilitation.
Results:
In experimental studies, the negative aspects of joint immobilization after trauma and surgical therapies on cartilage metabolism and joint homeostasis could also be proven. (Sakamoto J et al. 2009) In addition, recent studies also show the positive effect of CPM therapy on the chondrogenic biosynthesis of PRG4 (Nugent-Derfus GE et al. 2007) and anti-inflammatory effects on the joint (Ferretti M et al. 2005). Despite a large number of positive effects of CPM therapy, Fazalare J and co-authors were unable to prove any valid clinical evidence (only 4 studies) in their systematic review in their final conclusions regarding the benefit of CPM therapy postoperatively in knee cartilage surgery due to the great heterogeneity of the studies.Unfortunately, despite an overwhelming body of fundamental scientific work and the current clinical practice of implementing continuous passive movement postoperatively in knee cartilage repair procedures, a corresponding number of methodological high-quality studies are lacking (Fazalare J et al. 2010). In the review by Goosmann et al. 2019, seven clinical studies (ØRCTs) and 3 reviews on the use of CPM after cartilage repair surgery were included in the literature analysis. The current study situation is characterized by great heterogeneity. The available studies show that the use of CPM after cartilage repair surgery resulted in good defect filling, good results in the questionnaires on knee stability, activity, quality of life and functionality, and a reduction in pain and swelling could be proven. Although CPM therapy has a major benefit according to the majority of experts, the level of evidence must be classified as low due to inhomogeneous studies.
In the systematic literature review by Rogan S et al. 2013, a review and ten original papers were included for further evaluation. The included studies showed methodological weaknesses. Heterogeneity in outcome measures and the fact that 6 of 9 studies with a one-group pre-post design measured the combined effect of surgical treatment and CPM precluded a meta-analysis. The authors were only able to document significant improvements in subjective outcomes such as pain, swelling, Quality Life Survey, Knee Society Score, WOMAC Score or Rating Cincinnati in only three studies as a result of surgical treatment and the use of CPM therapy postoperatively. Six (case) studies indicated improved cartilage quality in patients after CPM. The authors recommend more high-quality randomized controlled trials to provide high-level evidence.
Conclusion:
The CPM therapy is an important part of postoperative treatment after cartilage regenerative therapy. Experimentally, an improved metabolism and vitality of the cartilage cells, a reduction in inflammatory metabolites, improved regeneration filling and differentiation as well as a reduction in pain and swelling can be demonstrated in experimental and clinical studies. Due to the study heterogeneity and the low methodological study quality, there is a low level of evidence for CPM therapy and a need for RCT´s.
The use of CPM therapy is indicated according to the current health care standard (G-BA) if a range of motion of the affected joint that is relevant to everyday life is only possible through the additional use, despite regular physical therapy measures (especially physiotherapy) and the patient’s learned exercises of these rails can be reached. Furthermore, the therapy can be used if the postoperative follow-up treatment requires a longer restriction of mobility with joint relief to achieve the therapy goal. (cartilage repair)
no reference
no
Postoperative rehabilitation programs following articular cartilage repair procedures will vary greatly among patients and need to be individualized based on the nature of the lesion, the unique characteristics of the patient, and the type and detail of each surgical procedure. These programs are based on knowledge of the basic science, anatomy, and biomechanics of articular cartilage as well as the biological course of healing following surgery.
Several principles exist that must be considered when designing a rehabilitation program following articular cartilage repair procedures. These key principles are based on our understanding of the basic science and mechanics of articular cartilage.
The rehabilitation program should be individualized to the specific demands of each patient’s activities of daily living, work, and/or sport activities.There are also several variables to consider in regard to the lesion that may have a dramatic effect on the rehabilitation process. Most importantly is the exact location of the lesion. Rehabilitation of lesions on a weight-bearing surface of a femoral condyle must attempt to avoid deleterious compressive forces and require a different approach than for lesions located within the trochlea or retrosurface of the patella, where excessive shear forces should be minimized. The size, depth, and containment of each lesion must also be considered. Lesions that are large, deep, or poorly contained within healthy surrounding articular cartilage may require a slower rehabilitation progression than smaller, shallower, or well-contained lesions.
Currently our greatest knowledge of rehabilitation of articular cartilage lesions exists in the early phase after surgical treatment. It is acknowledged that protection of the surgical site is crucial by e.g. reducing the amount of weight bearing to create an environment that facilitates the healing process while avoiding potentially deleterious forces to the repair site. However, much is less known about later phases of rehabilitation in regards to the amount, specificity, frequency, intensity and type of loading that promotes healing.
It is paramount to reduce swelling and pain as both have a direct relationship with neurophysiological alterations that occur after knee surgery. Arthrogenic muscle inhibition needs to be targeted very early to reduce the risk of irreversible changes in the central nervous system that negavitlvey impacts neural drive of particular the quadriceps muscle.
In addition aquiring normal movement patterns if of great importance. In this presentation novel motor learning principles will be presented that are underrepresented in the domain of cartilage rehabilitation.
Finally, patient education regarding their condition and how to enhance self-management and advocating an active life style to promote long term health should have high priority among clinicians.
1. Rehabilitation before regenerative cartilage knee surgery: a new prehabilitation guideline based on the best available evidence.
Hirschmüller A, Schoch W, Baur H, Wondrasch B, Konstantinidis L, Südkamp NP, Niemeyer P. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2019 Feb;139(2):217-230. doi: 10.1007/s00402-018-3026-6. Epub 2018 Aug 21.
2. Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation for Knee Cartilage and Osteochondral Defects: A Review of Indications, Technique, Rehabilitation, and Outcomes. Cavendish PA, Everhart JS, Peters NJ, Sommerfeldt MF, Flanigan DC. JBJS Rev. 2019 Jun;7(6):e7. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.RVW.18.00123.
3. Knee Pain and Mobility Impairments: Meniscal and Articular Cartilage Lesions Revision 2018. Logerstedt DS, Scalzitti DA, Bennell KL, Hinman RS, Silvers-Granelli H, Ebert J, Hambly K, Carey JL, Snyder-Mackler L, Axe MJ, McDonough CM. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2018 Feb;48(2):A1-A50. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2018.0301.
4. Articular Cartilage Injuries of the Knee: Patient Health Literacy, Expectations for Management, and Clinical Outcomes. Cole BJ, Redondo ML, Cotter EJ. Cartilage. 2021 Apr;12(2):139-145. doi: 10.1177/1947603518816429. Epub 2018 Nov 28.
5. Postoperative Management for Articular Cartilage Surgery in the Knee. Crecelius CR, Van Landuyt KJ, Schaal R. J Knee Surg. 2021 Jan;34(1):20-29. doi: 10.1055/s-0040-1718605.
6. Arthrogenic Muscle Inhibition Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury. Pietrosimone B, Lepley AS, Kuenze C, Harkey MS, Hart JM, Blackburn JT, Norte G. J Sport Rehabil. 2022 Feb 14:1-13. doi: 10.1123/jsr.2021-0128.
7. Arthrogenic Muscle Inhibition: Best Evidence, Mechanisms, and Theory for Treating the Unseen in Clinical Rehabilitation. Norte G, Rush J, Sherman D. J Sport Rehabil. 2021 Dec 9:1-19. doi: 10.1123/jsr.2021-0139.
8. Linking Gait Biomechanics and Daily Steps Post ACL-Reconstruction. Lisee C, Davis-Wilson H, Evans-Pickett A, Horton WZ, Blackburn T, Franz JR, Thoma L, Spang JT, Pietrosimone B. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2022 Jan 21. doi: 10.1249/
9. Principles of Motor Learning to Support Neuroplasticity After ACL Injury: Implications for Optimizing Performance and Reducing Risk of Second ACL Injury. Gokeler A, Neuhaus D, Benjaminse A, Grooms DR, Baumeister J. Sports Med. 2019 Jun;49(6):853-865. doi: 10.1007/