Patients after total knee arthroplasty (TKA)
Conditions
Interventions
Name: Cryotherapy + NMES Period / Number / Frequency: Performed once on postoperative days 7, 8, 14, and 15 (total of 4 sessions). Time window: 10:00-12:00 am on each assessment day. Procedure:
pulse width 300 us. Intensity setting (CT measurement): Before the intervention, NMES is applied. The current intensity is gradually increased, and the maximum tolerable current intensity (CT
mA) is recorded. Thereafter, knee extension strength (isometric torque) during NMES at the CT intensity is measured. Cryotherapy: The anterior knee is cooled for approximately 10 min using an ice p
Sponsors
Social Medical Corporation Yahata Steel Memorial Hospital
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: Patients scheduled to undergo unilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) at our hospital between September 2025 and March 2027 Male or female patients aged 60 to 90 years Patients who were able to walk independently or with a T-cane prior to surgery Patients who are in a clinically stable condition after surgery and judged to be able to safely undergo postoperative rehabilitation Patients who understand the content of the study and provide written informed consent
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: Patients who have undergone bilateral TKA or revision TKA Patients with difficulty in understanding instructions due to cerebrovascular disease, neuromuscular disorders, or severe dementia Patients with cardiac pacemakers or implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (contraindication for NMES) Patients with skin disorders, surgical site infection, or severe swelling around the knee (making NMES or cryotherapy infeasible) Patients who develop postoperative readmission or surgical complications (e.g., deep infection, venous thromboembolism) Patients judged unable to continue physical therapy during the intervention period
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Maximum tolerable current intensity (CT): Assessed on postoperative days 7, 8, 14, and 15, comparing cryotherapy + NMES with NMES alone. | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Quadriceps strength (measured with handheld dynamometer): preoperatively, postoperative days 7, 8, 14, and 15 Electrical sensory threshold: postoperative days 7, 8, 14, and 15 Pain score (Visual Analog Scale, VAS): same as above Skin temperature (measured with infrared thermometer): same as above Knee circumference (indicator of joint swelling): preoperatively, postoperative days 7, 8, 14, and 15 Inflammatory markers (CRP from routine blood tests): postoperative day 7 and postoperative day 14 Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS): preoperatively | — |
Countries
Japan
Contacts
Public ContactKenta Yamamori
Social Medical Corporation Yahata Steel Memorial Hospital Department of Rehabilitation
Outcome results
None listed