Post-operative care
pain
CONTRACTION
The post-operative protocol included chemical and mechanical thromboprophylaxis unless specifically contraindicated. All patients received one dose of parenteral antibiotics at the induction of anesthesia and two further doses post-operatively.Flexion and extension exercises of the ankle and isometric quadriceps contraction exercises were started on the first post-operative day, with full weight-bearing within pain tolerance. The duration of the exercises was 40 min to 1 h three times per day. All exercises were done bedside without using additional rehabilitation equipment. The aim of mobilization with a physiotherapist was to obtain flexion of the knee of at least 90°. Other methods of mobilization included using a walker or walking with crutches by the third day post-op. The average length of stay in the hospital was 3.3 days (3–4).