Which is a recommended knee position after total knee replacement?

Which is a recommended knee position after total knee replacement?

• A. Keep the knee in flexion
• B. Maintain affected knee in extension
• C. Lock the knee in 30 degrees of rotation
• D. Avoid any knee motion

Answer: (B)

After a total knee replacement, the goal of early positioning is to protect healing tissues while preventing stiffness. Keeping the knee in extension helps maintain normal alignment, reduces the risk of a flexion contracture, and supports functional activities like standing and progressing to walking. It also aids the extensor mechanism and reduces posterior knee capsule tightness that can limit motion. Sustained knee flexion or forcing a rotation is not a standard protective approach and can contribute to stiffness or abnormal loading, while avoiding motion entirely leads to adhesions and ROM loss. So, extending the knee is the recommended position.

After a total knee replacement, the goal of early positioning is to protect healing tissues while preventing stiffness. Keeping the knee in extension helps maintain normal alignment, reduces the risk of a flexion contracture, and supports functional activities like standing and progressing to walking. It also aids the extensor mechanism and reduces posterior knee capsule tightness that can limit motion. Sustained knee flexion or forcing a rotation is not a standard protective approach and can contribute to stiffness or abnormal loading, while avoiding motion entirely leads to adhesions and ROM loss. So, extending the knee is the recommended position.