Treatment of a knee contracture using a knee orthosis incorporating stress-relaxation techniques.

The subject of this case report was a 67-year-old Caucasian woman who had undergone total knee arthroplasty of the right knee. Postoperative physical therapy and a new orthosis that utilizes principles of stress relaxation (constant displacement) and static progressive stretching were used to reestablish range of motion. The total treatment time (cumulative orthosis wear time) was 32.5 hours over a period of 29 days, and the patient obtained a 17-degree increase in active range of motion. Six months later there was no measurable loss in range of motion. The results of the treatment may be beneficial for some patients. Researchers and clinicians need to conduct studies to further evaluate this approach to knee contracture management.