Soft Tissue Work for Complications of TKA

Course overview

Potentially 20% of Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) will fail due to post-op complications that are not being adequately addressed by therapists in the rehabilitation phase. Literature lists the problems of unresolved pain, deficient flexion for functional mobility, and unresolved quad and hamstring weakness as complications of TKA which can lead to further surgeries and unsatisfactory results. Literature also identifies less frequent but serious complications that are contributing to failed surgical rehabilitation including arthrofibrosis or excess scarring, Atherogenic Muscular Inhibition or inability of quadriceps activation, tourniquet effects on rehabilitation, and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy) that may be affecting people without a validating diagnosis. Research recommends more advanced strategies, particularly manual therapy to deal with all of these conditions. Unfortunately, very little evidenced practice research is available to outline the specifics of soft tissue techniques that are effective for all of these situations. This course teaches the seriousness of the conditions and the application of several soft tissue techniques. It also teaches simple but effective proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) strategies to decrease pain while working for full motion and adequate strength.