Kinesiotape for Edema After Bilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty

Effect of Kinesiotaping on Edema Management, Pain and Function on Patients With Bilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty

The purpose of this study is to determine if kinesiotaping for edema management will decrease post-operative edema in patients with bilateral total knee arthroplasty. The leg receiving kinesiotaping during inpatient rehabilitation may have decreased edema and pain and improved movement and function when compared to the leg not receiving kinesiotape.

After being informed about the study and potential risk, all patients undergoing inpatient rehabilitation after bilateral total knee arthroplasty will have Kinesio(R)Tape applied to one randomly selected leg while the other leg serves as a control. Measurement of bilateral leg circumference, knee range of motion, numerical rating scale for pain, and selected questions from the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score will occur at regular intervals throughout the rehabilitation stay. Patients will receive standard rehabilitation.

Inclusion Criteria:

• admitted to Burke Rehabilitation Hospital for inpatient rehabilitation within 5 days after same-day or staged bilateral total knee arthroplasty;
• 50-85 years of age;
• able to read and understand English or a hospital-provided translator when consenting for the study;
• free from contraindications for kinesiotaping (see below); and,
• able to tolerate an active rehabilitation program.

Exclusion Criteria:

• stage III or IV heart failure, stage III or IV renal failure;
• fragile, very hairy or sensitive skin;
• anesthesia or paraesthesia of any area of the lower extremity, except the surgical sites
• active skin rashes or infections or skin lesions in the lower extremity;
• prior history of allergic reactions to skin taping, bandaids, surgical tape; athletic tape or other skin-adhering electrode adhesives;
• prior history of lower extremity lymphedema;3
• prior history of lower extremity venous or arterial disease;
• post-operative complications in the surgical sites;4
• partial joint arthroplasty or revision arthroplasty of one or both knees;1,5
• inability to give informed consent offered in English or through a hospital-provided translator
• age less than 50 years or over 85 years;
• inability to tolerate an active rehabilitation program.