Abstract: Objective To observe the effect of sling exercise therapy (SET) on rehabilitation after knee arthroplasty. Methods 46 patients after knee arthroplasty were randomly divided into experimental group (n=23) and control group (n=23). The control group received continuous passive motion (CPM) training, while the experimental group received SET. They were evaluated with range of motion (ROM) of the knee, Hospital for Special Surgery Knee Score (HSS) and posture control ability before, 15 days and 3 months after operation. Results 15 days after operation, the maximal passive knee flexion was 6.0° more in the SET group than in the CMP group (95%CI=0.9°~11.2°; P<0.01), and the maximal active knee flexion was 5.7° more in the SET group than in the CMP group (95%CI=0.4°~9.1°; P<0.01); however, there was no significant difference in the maximal active knee extension, the maximal passive knee extension, HSS and posture control ability between 2 groups (P>0.05). 3 months after operation, there was no significant difference in all the items between 2 groups (P>0.05). Conclusion Compared with CPM, SET might be more effective on increasing knee ROM in the short-term, and could be used as an effective intervention for patients after knee arthroplasty at the early stage.

Key words: total knee arthroplasty, sling exercise therapy, continuous passive motion, postoperative rehabilitation, range of motion