The role of continuous passive motion following total knee arthroplasty

A retrospective study of 94 knees with postoperative continuous passive motion (CPM) therapy was compared with a control group of 116 knees with no postoperative CPM following kinematic condylar total knee arthroplasty (TKA) performed in 1983. The diagnoses were similar in both groups, with osteoarthritis in 167 knees, rheumatoid arthritis in 34 knees, osteonecrosis in four knees, traumatic arthritis in four knees, and psoriatic arthritis in one knee. Average flexion at hospital discharge was 87.7 degrees in the control group and 90.2 degrees in the CPM group (p less than 0.02). Seventy-four percent of the CPM group and 60% of the control group had achieved 90 degrees of flexion by the time of hospital discharge. The number of days to achieve 90 degrees averaged 10.3 in the control group and 7.7 in the CPM group (p less than 0.001). There was no significant difference in flexion at two or three months or at one year after operation between the two groups. Five knees in the control group and one in the CPM group required manipulation. The duration of hospitalization was not significantly different between the two groups. Hemoglobin levels, operative blood loss, and transfusion requirements were not significantly different. Patients with CPM following TKA achieve motion earlier than those without CPM, but ultimate motion and complications are not affected.     

Effect of postoperative reinfusion systems on hemoglobin levels in primary total hip and total knee arthroplasties: A prospective randomized study

A prospective randomized study was undertaken to quantify the effect of reinfusion of postoperative shed blood drainage on the hemoglobin levels in patients undergoing elective primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). One hundred eleven patients were enrolled between December 1990 and August 1991. There were 42 THAs and 69 TKAs. The study group consisted of 57 patients (35 TKAs and 22 THAs) who received a CBC ConstaVac (Stryker Surgical, Kalamazoo, MI) reinfusion system. The control group consisted of 54 patients (34 TKAs and 20 THAs) who received a ConstaVac collection unit. Postoperative drainage volumes were recorded for both groups. In addition, the volume of reinfused blood was recorded for the study group. Postoperative hemoglobins were recorded on postoperative days 1, 3, and 6, the latter reflecting the discharge hemoglobin level. All patients were encouraged to predeposit two units of autologous blood for both THAs and TKAs. This study showed no statistically significant difference in the postoperative hemoglobin levels between the study and control groups at anytime. Additionally, there was no statistically significant difference between hemoglobin levels and drainage volumes in both the THA and TKA study groups, compared to their respective control groups. The results of this study suggest that reinfusion units are not necessary in THAs and TKAs as a matter of routine use.     

A comparison of 2 continuous passive motion protocols after total knee arthroplasty: a controlled and randomized study

Effect of continuous passive motion (CPM) protocols on outcomes after total knee arthroplasty. In this prospective randomized controlled study, 147 patients were assigned to 1 of 3 treatment groups: CPM from 0 degrees to 40 degrees and increased by 10 degrees per day, CPM from 90 degrees to 50 degrees (early flexion) and gradually progressed into full extension over a 3-day period, and a no-CPM group. The CPM was administered twice a day for 3 hours over a 5-day period. All patients participated in the same postoperative physiotherapy program. Patients were assessed preoperatively, day 5, 3 months, and 1 year postoperatively. The early flexion group had significantly more range of flexion than both the standard and control groups at day 5. There was no significant difference between the groups for any other variable tested at any time frame. Key words: total knee arthroplasty, CPM, rehabilitation, outcomes.     

Effect of adjunctive range-of-motion therapy after primary total knee arthroplasty on the use of health services after hospital discharge.

INTRODUCTION: There is controversy as to whether continuous passive motion (CPM) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA), which is the standard treatment, confers significant benefit with respect to outcome. The primary purpose of this study was to determine if CPM or slider-board (SB) therapy, used as adjuncts to standardized exercises (SEs) during the acute-care hospital stay, resulted in a reduced total length of hospitalization and post-discharge rehabilitation in patients who underwent primary TKA. METHODS: We carried out a randomized, clinical trial on 120 patients who received a TKA at the University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, a tertiary care institution. The study horizon began at the point of discharge from the hospital and continued up to 6 months after operation. Postoperatively, patients (40 in each group) received CPM and SEs, SB therapy and SEs or SEs alone while in the tertiary Health service use was compared using transfer institution length of stay(LOS), post-discharge rehabilitation, readmission and complication rates and their associated costs. RESULTS: There were no differences in health service use or costs among the 3 groups over the 6-month study. The rates of postoperative complications and readmissions also were similar among the groups. Increased health service use associated with knee flexion that was less than 60 degrees at discharge, but similar proportions of patients with poor knee range of movement (ROM) at discharge were found in each group. CONCLUSIONS: This finding suggests that adjunctive ROM therapy, as used in this study, does not reduce health service use. Further research is required to determine if adjunctive ROM therapy after discharge from the surgical hospital decreases health service utilization in those patients who have poor knee ROM at the time of discharge.     

高龄骨关节炎患者膝关节置换术后功能与变量因素相关性的病例对照研究

目的:探讨多个变量因素与术后膝关节功能HSS评分的相关性,实现对患者进行综合有效的预后判断。方法:回顾2008年3月至2010年8月应用膝关节置换术治疗72例HoldenⅣ级膝关节炎患者作为研究组,男30例,女42例;年龄60～86岁,平均(71.9±6.2)岁。关节镜下清理术治疗的22例HoldenⅣ级膝关节炎患者作为对照组,男10例,女12例;平均年龄(70.5±5.9)岁。观测术前及术后1、2周关节活动度和HSS评分,分析患者年龄、身高、体重、BMI、肌力等影响因素。评估方法主要采用HSS评分方法。结果:研究组HSS评分、ROM均提高。全膝关节置换术后2周HSS评分与术前膝关节活动度、术前HSS评分、术前膝关节疼痛、术后早期CPM应用呈正相关。全膝关节置换术后2周HSS评分与患者年龄、身高、体重、BMI、肌力等因素无显著相关。结论:患者术前膝关节活动度、HSS评分、术前疼痛、围手术期并发症以及术后CPM应用初始角度均可影响膝关节置换术疗效。     

Continuous passive motion after tenolysis in hand therapy patients: a retrospective study

Continuous passive motion (CPM) is a common adjunct to the postoperative therapy program. Use of CPM has been advocated for a variety of diagnoses in hand rehabilitation. This retrospective study compares two groups of patients who underwent digital tenolysis (and/or capsulectomy) and evaluates the use of CPM in their postoperative therapeutic management. Both groups had initial injuries of fractures, tendon lacerations, and/or crush injuries resulting in surgical intervention. After therapeutic rehabilitation, the patients failed to gain satisfactory active ROM and elected to proceed with a secondary surgical procedure. Fifteen patients (19 digits) who used CPM machines in addition to their home exercise program were compared to 21 patients (24 digits) who did not use CPM. Primary outcome comparisons for this study were change in total active motion (TAM) over time (preoperative to discharge from therapy), duration of therapy, and total number of therapy visits. There was no significant difference (F=1.16, p=0.29) in the change in TAM for patients using CPM (39.89 degrees ) compared to those not using CPM treatment (31.83 degrees ). Furthermore, CPM users were seen for significantly more therapy sessions than non-CPM users (25.7 therapy visits compared to 18.54 therapy visits). Rehabilitation lasted approximately the same amount of weeks for both groups (CPM users 10.21 weeks vs. non-CPM users 11.42 weeks).     

Comparison of mid-term results between conversion total knee arthroplasties following closed wedge high tibial osteotomy and primary total knee arthroplasties: A matched pair study including patellar symptom and position

Background

The purpose of this study was to compare mid-term clinical and radiographic results of conversion total knee arthroplasties (TKA) following a closed-wedge high tibial osteotomy (HTO) and primary TKAs.

Use of continuous passive motion after total knee arthroplasty

Sixty primary total knee arthroplasties in 43 Chinese patients were included into a prospective study. Twenty-six patients who had unilateral knee arthroplasty were randomized to receive continuous passive motion (CPM) or immobilization in the first week. The 2 groups of patients were comparable in demographic data and preoperative knee range of motion (ROM). In 17 patients who had 1-stage sequential bilateral arthroplasties, one side had CPM and the other side was immobilized. The active knee ROM was assessed regularly until 1 year after the operation. For all patients, the early active knee ROM in the CPM group was significantly better than the immobilization group. There was no difference after 7 days, however. For patients who had 1-stage bilateral total knee arthroplasties, the active knee ROM was significantly better on the CPM side until day 28. After 4 weeks, there was no difference between the CPM group and the immobilization group. Immobilization after total knee arthroplasty does not preclude good ROM.     

Unicompartmental versus total knee arthroplasty in the same patient. A comparative study

The purpose of this study was to compare unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) with total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and more specifically to evaluate the role of the patella in patient preference between UKA and TKA. A group of 23 patients were chosen, each with a UKA in one knee and a TKA in the opposite knee. As a subset of the group, 13 patients were compared who had not had patellar resurfacing on their TKA side (Group A) versus ten patients who had patellar resurfacing (Group B). Each patient had a UKA and TKA performed during the same hospitalization. Each patient's resurfacing was performed by the same surgical team. Moreover, inpatient care and physical therapy for each patient's respective UKA and TKA were the same. Patient evaluation consisted of chart review, joint registry data, and telephone interviews that focused on patient preference regarding pain, stability, "feel," and ability to climb stairs. The 23 patients studied had an average follow-up period of 81 months (range, 38-153 months). There were 14 men and ten women with an average age of 67 years. Preoperative diagnosis was osteoarthritis in 22 patients and rheumatoid arthritis in one patient. Range of motion (ROM) improved from a preoperative mean of 106 degrees to 123 degrees postoperatively on the UKA side. Mean ROM for the Group A TKAs improved from 104 degrees to 109 degrees, whereas the Group B TKAs remained unchanged at 113 degrees. For patients surveyed in Group A, 31% stated that their UKA knee was their better knee overall, 15% stated that their TKA knee was their better knee overall, and 54% could find no difference.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

双氧水在多节段腰椎术中抗感染及降低术后引流量效果的研究

目的探讨双氧水在多节段腰椎术中抗感染及降低术后引流量的效果。方法回顾性分析2017年1月-2018年1月手术治疗的510例多节段腰椎退行性疾病患者临床资料,其中230例切口缝合前采用双氧水冲洗(研究组),280例采用生理盐水冲洗(对照组)。两组患者性别、年龄、病变类型、病程、手术节段等一般资料比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。记录并比较两组患者手术时间、术中出血量、术后引流量及术后感染率,采用美国疾病控制和预防中心(CDC)标准评价感染发生情况。结果两组患者手术时间、术中出血量比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),研究组术后引流量明显少于对照组(t=-2.990,P=0.005)。术后13例患者发生感染,其中浅部感染10例(研究组2例、对照组8例),感染持续时间(7.3±1.5)d;深部感染3例(均为对照组患者),感染持续时间(16.6±3.1)d。研究组浅部和深部感染发生率均低于对照组,但差异无统计学意义(χ^2=2.595,P=0.123;P=0.256)。浅部感染均为金黄色葡萄球菌感染,经积极换药后康复;深部感染患者中2例为金黄色葡萄球菌感染、1例为大肠埃希菌感染,均经彻底清洗缝合并积极换药后康复。结论多节段腰椎手术中,切口缝合前使用双氧水冲洗可降低术后感染发生率和术后引流量。     

The effects of implant design on range of motion after total knee arthroplasty. Total condylar versus posterior stabilized total condylar designs.

Range of motion (ROM) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is an important variable in determining clinical outcome. Recent design modifications have been aimed at improving final motion. The posterior stabilized total knee prosthesis was introduced as a modification of the total condylar design, changing the center of curvature of the femoral component to allow greater ROM. In this study, all primary TKAs performed at the authors' institution from July 1982 until December 1986 were reviewed to determine the effect of this design modification on outcome. A total condylar (TC) group comprised 51 arthroplasties and was compared to 53 arthroplasties in a posterior stabilized (PSTC) group. the postoperative protocol was identical in both groups. The mean postoperative flexion was 11 better in the PSTC group; however, the mean preoperative flexion had initially been 10 degrees better in the PSTC group. The maximum flexion achieved by any patient in both groups was similar, but the TC group actually gained slightly more arc of motion. The better motion in the PSTC group may be secondary to better motion preoperatively and not implant design in this series. The more limited the preoperative ROM, the greater the quadriceps stiffness is likely to be, which is an important determinant of postoperative flexion. Review of the literature supports present observations that a group with less mean preoperative motion paradoxically gains a slightly greater increment of flexion. Differences in flexion after TKA are difficult to attribute to design in either the current study or by a review of the literature. This is because determinants of flexion after TKA are multifactorial and outcome data limited, notwithstanding the similarities among modern prostheses.     

全膝关节置换术后主动和被动锻炼促进关节功能恢复的前瞻性研究

目的 探讨全膝关节置换(TKA)术后持续被动活动和主动功能锻炼对患者关节功能康复效果的影响. 方法采用前瞻性研究方法,选取2007年2月至2008年6月行TKA的80例患者为研究对象,所有患者按入院序号应用随机数字表法分为持续被动活动组(CPM组)和主动功能锻炼组(AP组),每组40例.CPM组术后早期应用CPM机行康复治疗,AP组则在专业康复医师指导下进行主动功能锻炼.记录患者术后第3、6、9天时的VAS评分,术后第3、6、9天、出院及随访时的关节活动度,患者住院天数.采用美国膝关节外科学会的评分系统(KSS)对患者术前、术后3、6个月随访时的患膝关节功能进行评分. 结果术后第3天,CPM组、AP组的平均VAS评分分别为2.37、3.02分,差异有统计学意义(t=-2.52,P=0.03).术后第6、9天两组患者平均VAS评分差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05).术后3、6、9 d及出院时两组患者的关节活动度差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05).56例患者(CPM组30例,AP组26例)获得随访.术后3个月,CPM组、AP组患者的关节活动度为别为105.50°、112.96°,差异有统计学意义(P=0.04),但术后6个月时两组差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).术后3、6个月两组患者KSS评分差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05). 结论 TKA术后功能恢复应强调主动功能锻炼而非被动锻炼.不推荐常规应用CPM,但对痛觉过敏及无法进行主动功能锻炼的患者,仍应考虑CPM辅助治疗,以促进关节功能的恢复.     

全膝关节置换术后主动和被动锻炼促进关节功能恢复的前瞻性研究

目的 探讨全膝关节置换(TKA)术后持续被动活动和主动功能锻炼对患者关节功能康复效果的影响. 方法采用前瞻性研究方法,选取2007年2月至2008年6月行TKA的80例患者为研究对象,所有患者按入院序号应用随机数字表法分为持续被动活动组(CPM组)和主动功能锻炼组(AP组),每组40例.CPM组术后早期应用CPM机行康复治疗,AP组则在专业康复医师指导下进行主动功能锻炼.记录患者术后第3、6、9天时的VAS评分,术后第3、6、9天、出院及随访时的关节活动度,患者住院天数.采用美国膝关节外科学会的评分系统(KSS)对患者术前、术后3、6个月随访时的患膝关节功能进行评分. 结果术后第3天,CPM组、AP组的平均VAS评分分别为2.37、3.02分,差异有统计学意义(t=-2.52,P=0.03).术后第6、9天两组患者平均VAS评分差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05).术后3、6、9 d及出院时两组患者的关节活动度差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05).56例患者(CPM组30例,AP组26例)获得随访.术后3个月,CPM组、AP组患者的关节活动度为别为105.50°、112.96°,差异有统计学意义(P=0.04),但术后6个月时两组差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).术后3、6个月两组患者KSS评分差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05). 结论 TKA术后功能恢复应强调主动功能锻炼而非被动锻炼.不推荐常规应用CPM,但对痛觉过敏及无法进行主动功能锻炼的患者,仍应考虑CPM辅助治疗,以促进关节功能的恢复.     

单次股神经阻滞联合关节腔周围注射在膝关节置换术后镇痛的研究

目的观察单次股神经阻滞联合关节腔周围注射在全膝关节置换术后的镇痛效果。方法选取2017年1月至2018年5月于我院拟行全膝关节置换术的患者共50例,其中男22例,女28例;年龄60~80岁,平均为(69.90±9.46)岁。50例患者随机分为实验组(单次股神经阻滞联合关节腔周围注射组)和对照组(单次股神经阻滞组),每组各25例。比较两组患者术后静息和运动状态视觉模拟评分(visual analogue scale,VAS)、术后膝关节活动度(range of motion,ROM)及不良反应发生情况。结果实验组在术后6 h、12 h、24 h、48 h静息及运动状态VAS评分均比对照组同期VAS评分低,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);实验组术后1 d、2 d膝关节活动度比对照组同期膝关节活动度高(P<0.05),但术后3 d、7 d两组患者术后膝关节活动度比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。两组患者术后并发症发生率比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论对于膝关节置换患者,单次股神经阻滞联合关节腔周围注射比单纯单次股神经阻滞更能缓解患者术后早期的疼痛,有助于患者术后早期行功能锻炼,且不增加术后并发症发生,但对于患者远期功能恢复并无明显优势。     

不同程度屈膝挛缩畸形人工全膝关节置换的早期疗效比较

目的探讨不同程度屈膝挛缩畸形行人工全膝关节置换术(totalkneearthroplasty,TKA)后的早期疗效。方法回顾性分析2000年1月～2003年12月行TKA的65例97膝屈膝挛缩畸形患者资料。其中骨关节炎51例74膝,类风湿关节炎14例23膝。单膝置换33例33膝,双膝同时置换32例64膝。按屈膝挛缩畸形程度不同将患者分成A、B两组,A组屈曲挛缩<20°(0～15°)32例49膝,B组屈曲挛缩≥20°(20～60°)33例48膝。A、B两组膝关节术前屈曲挛缩度数、活动度(rangeofmotion,ROM)、KSS(kneesocietyscore)评分及功能评分分别为10.7±8.0°、104.6±20.0°、29.1±18.0、32.6±20.7和28.2±7.8°、60.8±26.6°、12.1±13.2、26.8±18.1,各指标组间比较差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。术中均采用Scorpio后稳定型骨水泥固定假体,行初期置换。术后3～4d在同一康复师指导下行CPM及主动功能锻炼。结果患者获随访8个月～3年6个月,平均2年7个月。A、B组术后膝关节屈曲挛缩度数、ROM、KSS评分和功能评分分别为0.4±2.1°、108.6±19.0°、82.1±13.8、72.3±29.1和1.3±3.2°、98.6±16.4°、75.9±8.2、81.4±26.9,组间比较差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。术后患者总满意度为94.6%,无深部感染及再翻修者。结论膝关节屈膝挛缩畸形严重与否对TKA的早期疗效无明显影响;TKA后ROM有“趋中”现象;术后早期行膝关节功能锻炼也是获得功能改善的重要环节之一。     

Local infiltration analgesia in TKA patients reduces length of stay and postoperative pain scores

Numerous postoperative pain protocols exist for patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We compared the length of stay, early range of motion (ROM), and pain scores of a control group with a femoral nerve block to those of a group with femoral nerve block and local infiltration analgesia following TKA. In a consecutive series of patients undergoing primary TKA at a Veteran's Administration hospital, 40 patients (40 TKAs) who had local infiltration analgesia were compared to a historical group of 43 patients (43 TKAs) who had a long-acting femoral nerve block without local infiltration analgesia. Local infiltration analgesia consisted of intraoperative injection of 150 mL of 300 mg ropivacaine, 30 mg ketorolac, and 500 μg epinephrine using 50 mL into each of 3 areas: (1) posterior capsule, (2) medial and lateral capsule, and (3) anterior capsule and subcutaneous tissues. A 17-gauge intra-articular catheter was used to inject an additional 100 mg of ropivacaine on postoperative day 1. The control group had a single-shot femoral nerve block using 150 mg of ropivacaine with epinephrine. Mean length of stay for the local infiltration analgesia group compared to controls was 3.2±1.4 days vs 3.8±1.6 days, respectively (P=.03). No significant differences existed in average ROM (6 weeks), discharge hematocrit, transfusions, and temperature. Mean pain scores were lower in the local infiltration analgesia group on postoperative day 1 (P=.04), but not on postoperative day 2 or 3. Maximum visual analog scale scores (P<.01) were reduced in the local infiltration analgesia group. Our early experience with local infiltration analgesia demonstrated a significantly reduced length of stay due to decreased postoperative pain.     

Effects of one-month continuous passive motion after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: results at 1-year follow-up of a prospective randomized study

The study included 100 patients who underwent an arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. All patients suffered about a rotator cuff tear that was repaired arthroscopically with a suture anchor technique. Immediately postoperatively, patients were randomly allocated to one of two different postoperative physiotherapy regimens: passive self-assisted range of motion exercise (controls: 46 patients) versus passive self-assisted range of motion exercise associated with use of continuous passive motion (CPM) for a total of 2 h per day (experimental group: 54 patients), for 4 weeks. After this time, all the patients of both groups underwent the same physical therapy protocol. An independent examiner assessed the patients at 2.5, 6 and 12 months particularly about pain with the VAS scale (0–10) and the range of motion (ROM). Our findings show that postoperative treatment of an arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with passive self-assisted exercises associated with 2-h CPM a day provides a significant advantage in terms of ROM improvement and pain relief when compared to passive self-assisted exercise alone, at the short-term follow-up. No significant differences between the two groups were observed at 1 year postoperatively.     

Management of infected total knee arthroplasties

In a prospective study of 14 consecutive infected total knee arthroplasties ( TKAs ) treated through 1979, the management consisted of: (1) 11 delayed exchange arthroplasties, with 2 failures requiring above-knee amputation; (2) 2 in situ debridements; and (3) 1 arthrodesis. The final outcome of the delayed exchange arthroplasty group regarding joint pain, patient function, and joint performance was (a) inferior to that of primary TKA (before infection), (b) better than that of resection arthroplasty, and (c) worse than that of a control group of non-infected TKAs respectively. Debridement without prosthesis resection was successful only in cases of immediate postoperative infection (2 successes in 4 TKAs ) and uniformly unsuccessful in infections occurring beyond the perioperative period (4 failures in 4 TKAs ). The study indicates that delayed exchange total knee arthroplasty is a reasonable alternative to arthrodesis following resection of an infected TKA and can be performed without undue risk of recurrent infection.     

The results of knee manipulation for stiffness after total knee arthroplasty with or without an intra-articular steroid injection

Background:

Stiffness after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) requiring manipulation has a reported incidence of 1.3-54%. The purpose of this study was to compare the incidence of stiffness warranting manipulation using two different pain management protocols. We also studied the effect of an intra-articular injection of local anesthetic and steroid given at the time of manipulation on the range-of-motion (ROM) at last follow-up.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 286 TKAs (248 patients between January 2002 and December 2003) were compared to a second group of 292 TKAs (251 patients between January 2004 and March 2006). The first group received patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) for postoperative pain management. The second group had a peri-articular injection of a steroid-containing local anesthetic at the time of surgery, but no postoperative PCA. All patients undergoing manipulation in the second group also received a similar intra-articular injection at the time of manipulation as well. Only patients with minimum 12 months follow-up after manipulation were included in the study.

Results:

The overall incidence of stiffness requiring manipulation in both groups was similar at 2.4% and 2.1%, respectively (P = 0.1). The end results of manipulation with and without injection showed a significantly higher final ROM in patients who had had an injection at the time of manipulation (P = 0.001). The difference was due to the fact that patients who had an injection lost no motion from that achieved at the time of manipulation.

Conclusion:

We were unable to demonstrate a significant reduction in the incidence of stiffness after TKA using a modern pain management protocol. However, injection of a local anesthetic and steroid at the time of manipulation did have a significant influence on preserving the ROM that was obtained at the time of manipulation.     

Efficiency of a postoperative treatment after rotator cuff repair with a continuous passive motion device (CPM)

AIM: The main objective of this study was to prove that a postoperative combined continuous passive motion (CPM) and physiotherapy treatment protocol (CPM group) can achieve 90 degrees active abduction in the shoulder joint earlier than physiotherapy alone (PT group). The indication was a complete tear of the rotator cuff. METHOD: The study was conducted under in-patient and out-patient conditions. 55 patients were included in this study. The prospective, randomized multicenter study design complies with DIN EN 540. The primary endpoint was the time span until 90 degrees active abduction was achieved by the patients. RESULTS: Patients in the CPM group reached the primary endpoint on average 12 days earlier than the control group. This difference was statistically significant (p = 0.0292). Analyzing the secondary endpoints, e. g., pain and disablement, the results in the CPM group showed again advantages of the combined treatment protocol (CPM + physiotherapy). CONCLUSION: The postoperative treatment of a total tear of the rotator cuff with a combined continuous passive motion and physiotherapy protocol provided a significantly earlier range of motion in the shoulder joint than physiotherapy alone. There was no report of CPM-related adverse effects.