Abstract
This is the first phase of an experimental study to compare treatment outcomes for participants who complete a predetermined exercise program in a group rehabilitation setting, to participants who receive individual, one-on-one rehabilitation following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This study looks to determine if participants in a group rehabilitation program have better treatment outcomes of knee ROM, strength, reduced pain, shorter length of stay in the hospital, and functional mobility, when compared to participants in an individualized, one-on-one rehabilitation program following unilateral TKA in the acute stage in the hospital. This research study is a quasi experimental design, following the treatment protocols currently in place at Lee Memorial Health Systems with convenience sampling of participants into two groups. One group, the Joint Center Rehabilitation Group (JCRG), completes a set exercise program in a group setting, while the other group, the Individual Rehabilitation Group (IRG), receives treatment in their individual hospital room with a program that is left to the discretion of the surgeon and therapist. Both groups attend a pre-operation educational session and complete a set of pretest and posttest measurements to analyze improvements. The final implementation of data collection, data analysis, results, and conclusion of the research will be continued by another graduate student.