| Abstract: | Purpose.?To investigate the relationship between early functional mobility and pain intensity in a fast track program after total knee arthroplasty (TKA).Methods.?One hundred consecutive patients operated with TKA in an orthopaedic unit at a University hospital were prospectively studied. Measurements of independence in transfer and ambulation (Cumulated Ambulation Score), pain intensity (Verbal Analog Scale (VAS)), range of knee motion, functional mobility (‘Timed Up & Go’ (TUG) test), and walking distance were recorded daily from the first postoperative day until discharge.Results.?On the first postoperative day, 90% of the patients were able to walk independently with median pain intensity of ≤5 on VAS. Of these, 78% walked?>?70?m. All patients walked independently on postoperative Day 2 with pain intensity of ≤4. On the day of discharge, all patients walked with crutches with pain intensity of ≤3, walking distance?>?70?m, median range of motion 10–80°, and median test time of the ‘TUG’ 19.2?s. The length of hospital stay was median 3 days.Conclusion.?Pain has a limited influence on the functional recovery beyond the first postoperative day after TKA, thereby allowing early physiotherapy. |
