Year: 2026 | Month: January-March | Volume: 11 | Issue: 1 | Pages: 17-23
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/gijhsr.20260102
Comparison of Tele-Rehabilitation and In-Patient Rehabilitation on Pain and Functional Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Cemented Bi-Compartmental Knee Replacement Arthroplasty
Mohit Shah 1, Parita Dave 2, Bhaumi Dave 3
1Tutor cum Physiotherapist, Government Physiotherapy College & Government Spine Institute, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, India.2Associate Professor, KD Institute of Physiotherapy, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, India.
3Assistant Professor, KD Institute of Physiotherapy, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, India.
Corresponding Author: Parita Dave
ABSTRACT
Background: Post-operative physiotherapy is a cornerstone in the management of patients undergoing knee replacement arthroplasty, aiming to alleviate pain, enhance joint mobility, and restore functional independence. Conventionally, rehabilitation is delivered through in-patient physiotherapy; however, logistical challenges, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, have necessitated the adoption of tele-rehabilitation approaches. While tele-rehabilitation offers advantages in accessibility and cost-effectiveness, its comparative efficacy relative to traditional in-patient programs remains under evaluation.
Aim: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of tele-rehabilitation and conventional in-patient rehabilitation on pain and functional outcomes in patients undergoing cemented bi-compartmental knee replacement arthroplasty.
Methods: An interventional study was conducted on 30 patients, aged 45-60 years who had undergone knee replacement arthroplasty. They were divided into 2 equal groups and were given 18 sessions of physiotherapy over a period of 3 weeks. The interventions were selected as per the clinical practice guidelines published by APTA, which included range of motion, strengthening, and weight bearing exercises using tele rehabilitation in group A and in-patient rehabilitation in group B. The outcome measures were numerical pain rating scale and WOMAC scores.
Results: Data was not normally distributed so, Wilcoxon signed ranks test was applied showed a statistically significant difference in both outcome measures in both groups. (p<0.05) Mann Whitney U test showed that there was no statistically significant difference in improvement between the groups. (p=0.27)
Conclusion: Tele-rehabilitation constitutes a clinically effective and practical alternative to in-patient physiotherapy for patients following cemented bi-compartmental knee replacement arthroplasty. Its implementation may enhance accessibility, reduce healthcare costs, and facilitate continuity of care, particularly in geographically remote or resource-limited settings.
Keywords: Knee replacement arthroplasty, Bi compartmental, Physiotherapy, Tele rehabilitation