Impact of Physiotherapy on Kinesiophobia and Knee Pain After Knee Replacements

Ayesha Izhar; Maham Naeem; Eisha-Tur Raazia; Mehwish Shahzadi; Hafiza Ramal; Anam Abbas

doi:10.61919/hybqp333

Authors

Ayesha Izhar University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan Author
Maham Naeem University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan Author
Eisha-Tur Raazia University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan Author
Mehwish Shahzadi University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan Author
Hafiza Ramal University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan Author
Anam Abbas Lecturer, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61919/hybqp333

Keywords:

Total Knee Replacement; Kinesiophobia; Physiotherapy; Postoperative Rehabilitation; Knee Pain; Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia.

Abstract

Background: Pain and fear of movement may restrict participation in rehabilitation after total knee replacement. Evidence regarding their relationship with routine physiotherapy attendance in Pakistan remains limited. Objective: To determine the association of physiotherapy-session exposure with kinesiophobia and knee-pain intensity after total knee replacement. Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study included 144 patients aged 40–60 years who were assessed one to three months after total knee replacement at hospitals and private physiotherapy clinics in Lahore. Participants were classified as having higher exposure if they had completed five or more physiotherapy sessions and lower exposure if they had completed fewer than five sessions. Pain was assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, and kinesiophobia was assessed using the 11-item Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia. Associations were examined using Pearson’s chi-square test. Results: Each exposure group included 72 participants. Kinesiophobia was present in 12 (16.7%) participants in the higher-exposure group and 55 (76.4%) in the lower-exposure group (χ²(1)=51.61, p<0.001). The crude risk ratio was 0.22 (95% CI 0.13–0.37). No or mild pain was reported by 75.0% of the higher-exposure group compared with 12.5% of the lower-exposure group, whereas moderate or severe pain was reported by 25.0% and 87.5%, respectively (χ²(3)=59.05, p<0.001). Conclusion: Greater physiotherapy-session exposure was associated with lower kinesiophobia and less severe knee pain; however, the cross-sectional design did not establish causality

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