KNEE SURGERY Ann R Coll Surg Engl 2015; 97: 563–567 doi 10.1308/rcsann.2015.0016

Enhanced recovery programmes can reduce length of stay after total knee replacement without sacrificing functional outcome at one year JF Maempel, PJ Walmsley NHS Fife, UK ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION

Enhanced recovery programmes (ERPs) are being widely adopted in total knee replacement (TKR) procedures but studies confirming that they have no adverse effects on functional outcomes are lacking. The aim of this study was to compare length of stay, postoperative functional outcome and range of motion at one year postoperatively between patients undergoing TKR with an ERP and those with traditional rehabilitation. METHODS A total of 165 consecutive patients undergoing primary unilateral TKR were included in the study. Overall, 84 patients undergoing TKR with an ERP were compared with a series of 81 patients undergoing primary unilateral TKR with traditional rehabilitation, immediately before the introduction of the ERP. RESULTS The median postoperative length of stay was 3 days in the ERP cohort and 4 in the traditionally rehabilitated cohort (p