Abstract: Objective To evaluate the effect of continuous passive motion (CPM) as an adjunct to active physiotherapy on pain and range of motion (ROM) after knee arthroplasty. Methods 20 female osteoarthritis patients (40 knees) undergoing bilateral knee arthroplasty were assigned into two groups. The experimental group received CPM and active physiotherapy twice a day while the control group received active physiotherapy only. They were assessed with visual analogue scale (VAS) and goniometer on pain and ROM of knee before and after operation. Results There were no statistical difference between these two groups for any outcome measures either 2 weeks or 3 months after operation (P>0.05), and they all improved in pain and ROM 3 months after operation compared with before (P<0.01). Conclusion CPM as an adjunctive therapy is not found to have an additional effect on pain or ROM 3 months after operation while active physiotherapy was used.

Key words: knee arthroplasty, continuous passive motion, active physiotherapy, pain, range of motion