“Do – it – yourself Post – arthroplasty Rehabilitation Manual”

“Do-it-yourself post-arthroplasty rehabilitation manual” is designed for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients by researchers at Center of Calcium and Bone Research (Prof. Dr. Narattaphol Chroenphandhu and colleagues) and Dr. Satit Thiengwittayaporn at the Department of Orthopedic, Faculty of Medicine, Navamindradhiraj University. This manual aims to reduce rehabilitation period and improve quality of life of the TKA patients. The effectiveness of the manual has been evaluated in volunteers after TKA. It was found that patients who followed the instruction manual had faster recovery and greater active and passive range of motion than routine exercise. In addition, the clinical scores specific for TKA patients were higher than control group, i.e., greater ability to stand, walk, and perform daily physical activities. Patients who exercise according to the manual also showed less anxiety compared to routine rehabilitation patients.The instruction manual consists of standard leg strengthening workout with simple illustrations as well as a record table for patients to note their own frequency of exercise, and notes or comments that prove to be very useful for physicians during the follow up sessions. In this way, type of exercise, the frequency, and intensity of the workout can be adjusted to suit individual patients, and to be appropriate for the stage of rehabilitation.