What is the knee ROM target in the first 2 weeks after total knee arthroplasty?

What is the knee ROM target in the first 2 weeks after total knee arthroplasty?

• A. 0-120
• B. 0-90
• C. 0-60
• D. 0-100

Answer: (B)

Early after total knee arthroplasty, the goal is to protect knee extension while gently increasing flexion as swelling and pain allow. By about two weeks, a commonly used target is 0 to 90 degrees of knee motion. The zero degree endpoint ensures full extension, which helps prevent flexion contractures that can limit gait and function. Reaching around 90 degrees of flexion at this stage provides enough bend for basic activities such as sitting, standing from a chair, and simple transfers, while staying within what the tissues can tolerate during the initial healing period. Targets like 120 degrees in two weeks are typically too aggressive for most patients early on due to pain, swelling, and healing tissue, increasing the risk of stiffness or complications. A flexion limit as low as 60 degrees would be insufficient for many daily tasks, and 100 degrees, though achievable for some individuals, is not the standard benchmark used in the first two weeks.

Early after total knee arthroplasty, the goal is to protect knee extension while gently increasing flexion as swelling and pain allow. By about two weeks, a commonly used target is 0 to 90 degrees of knee motion. The zero degree endpoint ensures full extension, which helps prevent flexion contractures that can limit gait and function. Reaching around 90 degrees of flexion at this stage provides enough bend for basic activities such as sitting, standing from a chair, and simple transfers, while staying within what the tissues can tolerate during the initial healing period.

Targets like 120 degrees in two weeks are typically too aggressive for most patients early on due to pain, swelling, and healing tissue, increasing the risk of stiffness or complications. A flexion limit as low as 60 degrees would be insufficient for many daily tasks, and 100 degrees, though achievable for some individuals, is not the standard benchmark used in the first two weeks.