Photographic Evidence on Total Knee Arthroplasty Outcomes

NCT07223359 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: LU213164
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 59
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 2

Brief Summary

Historically, total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has been performed to restore knee range of motion and relieve pain, with postoperative rehabilitation focused on helping patients regain mobility and function. This study evaluates whether providing patients with photographic evidence of their knee range of motion immediately after surgery can enhance short-term recovery. Patients will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: one group will receive printed photographs showing their knee in full flexion immediately after surgery, while the other group will not receive photographs. Outcomes assessed at six weeks postoperatively will include knee range of motion, physical therapy progress metrics, length of hospital stay, and patient-reported outcomes.

Conditions

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the Knee

Keywords

total knee arthroplasty; range of motion; photographic outcomes

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Knee Flexion at Six Weeks Postoperatively

  Knee flexion will be measured in degrees using a goniometer by a blinded assessor at the 6-week postoperative visit. The outcome compares the degree of maximum flexion between participants who received photographic evidence of their postoperative range of motion and those who did not.

  6 weeks after total knee arthroplasty

Secondary Outcomes (8)

• Knee Extension at Six Weeks Postoperatively

  6 weeks after total knee arthroplasty

• Total Duration of Physical Therapy

  Up to 6 weeks after surgery

• Length of Hospital Stay

  From the date of surgery until the date of hospital discharge, assessed for up to 6 weeks postoperatively.

• Total Number of Physical Therapy Sessions

  Up to 6 weeks after surgery

• Time to Achieve 110° of Knee Flexion (Weeks)

  Up to 6 weeks after surgery

Study Arms (2)

Photographic Evidence Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group will receive printed photographs of their operated knee in full flexion and full extension immediately following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The photographs will be taken in the operating room after dressings are applied. Patients will be instructed to keep one copy for personal use and to provide another copy to their physical therapist. The goal of this intervention is to determine whether visual feedback of postoperative range of motion enhances motivation, engagement in rehabilitation, and early recovery.

Behavioral: Photographic Evidence of Postoperative Knee Range of Motion

Control Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in this group will undergo total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and receive standard postoperative management and rehabilitation without photographs of their knee range of motion. They will participate in the same physical therapy and follow-up schedule as the intervention group.

Behavioral: Standard Postoperative Care

Interventions

Photographic Evidence of Postoperative Knee Range of Motion BEHAVIORAL

The intervention consists of providing patients with photographic evidence of their knee range of motion (ROM) immediately following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). After the procedure, while still in the operating room and after sterile dressings are applied, two photographs are taken of the operated knee, one in maximum flexion and one in full extension.

Photographic Evidence Group

Standard Postoperative Care BEHAVIORAL

Participants will receive routine postoperative management and physical therapy following TKA. No photographic evidence of knee range of motion will be provided.

Control Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Adults aged 18 years or older
• Scheduled to undergo primary unilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) at one of the investigators' participating institutions
• Able to understand study procedures and comply with follow-up requirements
• Able to read and complete questionnaires in English
• Willing and able to provide informed consent prior to participation

You may not qualify if:

• Undergoing revision TKA
• History of prior surgery or fracture involving the operative knee
• Preoperative knee flexion contracture \>10 degrees
• Patients with non-elective or trauma-related indications for knee replacement
• Inability or unwillingness to provide informed consent

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Loyola University: lead

Study Sites (2)

Loyola University Medical Center

Maywood, Illinois, 60153, United States

Location

Gottlieb Memorial Hospital

Melrose Park, Illinois, 60160, United States

Location

Related Publications (6)

• Roos EM, Lohmander LS. The Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS): from joint injury to osteoarthritis. Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2003 Nov 3;1:64. doi: 10.1186/1477-7525-1-64.

  PMID: 14613558 BACKGROUND

• Abson S, Kenny B, Rahim R, Benz D, Hellman J. Can visual aides influence rehabilitation and length of stay following knee replacement? A randomized controlled study. Orthop Rev (Pavia). 2015 Mar 31;7(1):5758. doi: 10.4081/or.2015.5758. eCollection 2015 Mar 3.

  PMID: 25874065 BACKGROUND

• Pinsornsak P, Kanitnate S, Boontanapibul K. The effect of immediate post-operative knee range of motion photographs on post-operative range of motion after total knee arthroplasty : An assessor-blinded randomized controlled clinical trial in sixty patients. Int Orthop. 2021 Jan;45(1):101-107. doi: 10.1007/s00264-020-04877-3. Epub 2020 Nov 24.

  PMID: 33230607 BACKGROUND

• Farahini H, Moghtadaei M, Bagheri A, Akbarian E. Factors influencing range of motion after total knee arthroplasty. Iran Red Crescent Med J. 2012 Jul;14(7):417-21. Epub 2012 Jul 30.

  PMID: 22997557 BACKGROUND

• Hyodo K, Masuda T, Aizawa J, Jinno T, Morita S. Hip, knee, and ankle kinematics during activities of daily living: a cross-sectional study. Braz J Phys Ther. 2017 May-Jun;21(3):159-166. doi: 10.1016/j.bjpt.2017.03.012. Epub 2017 Apr 9.

  PMID: 28473283 BACKGROUND

• Laubenthal KN, Smidt GL, Kettelkamp DB. A quantitative analysis of knee motion during activities of daily living. Phys Ther. 1972 Jan;52(1):34-43. doi: 10.1093/ptj/52.1.34. No abstract available.

  PMID: 5061683 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Osteoarthritis

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Arthritis; Joint Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Rheumatic Diseases

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: CARE PROVIDER, INVESTIGATOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: October 27, 2025
• First Posted: October 31, 2025
• Study Start: January 1, 2020
• Primary Completion: December 31, 2021
• Study Completion: December 31, 2021
• Last Updated: October 31, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-10

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (2)