Continuous Passive Motion
Continuous Passive Motion (CPM) is a postoperative treatment method that is designed to aid recovery after joint surgery. In most patients after extensive joint surgery, attempts at joint motion cause pain and as a result, the patient fails to move the joint. This allows the tissue around the joint to become stiff and for scar tissue to form resulting in a joint which has limited range of motion and often may take months of physical therapy to recover that motion.
Passive range of motion means that the joint is moved without the patient's muscles being used. Continuous Passive Motion devices are machines that have been developed for patients to use after surgery. The CPM machine helps restore range of motion, prevents pooling of blood and resulting formation of blood clots, and accelerates wound healing by increasing fluid circulation around the joint.
There are CPM devices for the knee, ankle, shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand.
The physician prescribes how the CPM unit should be used by the patient (speed, duration of usage, amount of motion, rate of increase of motion, etc.). Your rehabilitation will consist of a series of progressive weight bearing, range of motion, muscle strengthening and cardiovascular exercises. Your strength should also improve gradually.
