Restricted motion range, also known as knee stiffness, is one of the significant complications after intra-articular or extra-articular injury. Postoperatively, it is primarily due to articular fibrosis (intra and extra) and scarring adhesions in the quadriceps-femoral apparatus after ligament reconstruction, patellar tendon repair, burn, and total knee arthroplasty. Knee stiffness is both preventable and treatable with physiotherapy treatment. Physiotherapy includes electrotherapy and exercises therapy playing an important role in reduction of knee stiffness. The aim of the present study to survey the existing literature related to exercise therapy and electrotherapy programs for the management of post-operative knee stiffness.
Based on the findings from this review, the standard and optimal physical therapy program should include strengthening, intensive functional exercises, aquatic exercises, electrotherapy interventions (NMES, interferential therapy currents), and advanced techniques. It is recommended that outpatient physical therapy, home-based physiotherapy treatment, occupational treatment, supervised therapy, telerehabilitation, and pre-rehabilitation protocols can be planned according to the stage of healing as well as according to the short- and long-term goals that therapist wants to achieve.
