Benefits of starting rehabilitation within 24 hours of primary total knee arthroplasty: randomized clinical trial

306 patients were randomized to determine the effect of the onset of physical rehabilitation following total knee arthroplasty. Patients were allocated to receive early rehabilitation (within the first 24 postoperative hours) or delayed rehabilitation (48-72h postoperatively), and were followed for outcomes in pain, range of motion (ROM), quadriceps and hamstring strength, autonomy in activities in daily living, and balance and gait characteristics up until discharge. The results indicated that early rehabilitation promoted better pain, ROM, muscle strength, and balance and gait characteristics compared to delayed therapy, and that length of hospital stay was shorter in those who underwent early rehabilitation.