Slide and flex, tighten, extend (SAFTE): a safe, convenient, effective, and no-cost approach to rehabilitation after total knee arthroplasty.

Many of the clinical aspects of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are now standardized; however, treatment protocols for rehabilitation vary according to surgeon and physical therapy departments. The purpose of this article was to determine if the slide and flex, tighten, extend (SAFTE) approach after TKA is a satisfactory method of achieving functional range of motion (full extension and at least 90 degrees of flexion). Of patients in the study group, 70% achieved functional range of motion by the 7-week evaluation period. SAFTE is a safe, effective, and no-cost approach to achieve functional range of motion in TKA using a single-radius, posterior-stabilized knee prosthesis.