Clinical Studies

"After a median of 7 weeks (range, 3-16 weeks), the median increase in range of motion was 25 degrees (range, 8-82 degrees). The median gain in knee active flexion was 19 degrees (range, 5-80 degrees). Ninety-two percent of patients were satisfied with the results. The authors believe static progressive stretching devices may be an effective method for increasing the ranges of motion and satisfaction levels of patients who develop arthrofibrosis after total knee arthroplasty."

"Persistent knee stiffness is common after knee arthroplasties, cruciate ligament repairs, and trauma. After a mean of 9 weeks of use (range, 3 to 27 weeks), the total arc of motion increased by a mean of 33 degrees (range, 0 to 85 degrees ). Forty of 41 patients had increased motion at a mean final follow-up time of 1 year (range, 6 months to 2 years), and 93% were satisfied with the results. The outcomes were comparable to other nonoperative treatments reported in the literature, but the results in the present study occurred in a shorter mean treatment time. An orthosis that utilizes the principles of static progressive stretch may be a successful treatment for improving the range of motion and satisfaction of patients who have knee contractures."

"In this review, we discuss the use of static and dynamic stretch devices to treat these range-of-motion dysfunctions. There are two mechanisms by which these devices work: dynamic stretch applies a constant low force, which allows for a variable soft-tissue displacement as they stretch, and static progressive stretch increases displacement, which allows for a constant displacement at a variable force leading to tissue stress relaxation. The uses of both devices have been reported to be effective in treating range-of-motion dysfunction after TKA."

"The most commonly followed SPS knee brace protocol was one to three sessions per day which lasted from seven to nine weeks ... The SPS brace reported a mean increase in ROM of 31°. ... The SPS studies reported the greatest response to flexion improvement with a mean increase of flexion by 22°. ... Based on the most current literature available, the authors highly recommend the use of SPS for the elbow, shoulder, and knee. Static progressive stretch bracing has an easy patient protocol, a short duration of use, and excellent outcomes."

"Persistent pain and dysfunction following total knee arthroplasty require treatment beyond standard rehabilitation. This article discusses devices used to prevent and treat decreased range of motion. ... Static progressive stretch devices use the principle of stress relaxation by applying progressively increasing constant displacements. Both types of devices are reported to be effective in treating persistent knee stiffness. The authors feel that future developments will occur in improving treatment protocols for these devices."

"Participants who received one-to-one therapy did not have a superior Oxford Knee Score at week ten compared with those who received the alternative interventions; the median score was 32 points for the one-to-one therapy group, 36 points for the group-based therapy group, and 34 points for the monitored home program group (p = 0.20). Furthermore, one-to-one therapy was not superior compared with group-based therapy or monitored home program in improving any of the secondary outcomes across the first postoperative year. ... One-to-one therapy does not provide superior self-reported or performance-based outcomes compared with group-based therapy or a monitored home program, in the short term and the long term after total knee arthroplasty."

"Multiple surgical and non-surgical modalities are available for patients suffering from shoulder elbow, forearm, wrist, knee and ankle stiffness. For most patients, bracing can provide optimal therapy to restore functional range of motion (ROM). ... we evaluated: (I) mobility, (II) pain, (III) stiffness, (IV) swelling, and (V) any adverse events of patients treated with an SPS brace. ... These data indicate that not only or these SPS braces effective in improving functional ROM with high rate of success and no significant complications, but this bracing system has a significant effect on improving pain and stiffness."