What does a knee CPM do?

What is a CPM machine?

After you have surgery on a joint, your doctor may recommend that you use a continuous passive motion (CPM) machine. This machine can help keep your joint flexible.

The CPM machine fully supports your joint. You can relax and let the machine do the work.

There are different types of these machines. For example, a knee CPM machine has a cradle to hold your leg. The machine slowly bends and straightens your knee. And you can adjust the amount your knee bends.

Why are CPM machines used?

You may use a CPM machine after surgery to help keep your joint flexible. You may also do exercises with a physiotherapist (PT). These exercises can improve the movement (range of motion) and strength in your joint.

If you have knee replacement surgery, a CPM machine may be slowly bending and straightening your knee when you wake up from surgery.

You may be able to take the CPM machine home for a few weeks. Use it as your doctor tells you. But also make sure to do any other exercises you learned from your doctor or PT.

Where can you learn more?

Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd

Enter G143 in the search box to learn more about "Learning About Continuous Passive Motion (CPM) Machines".

CPM (continuous passive motion) is a safe and effective way to prevent stiffness, reduce pain and swelling after orthopedic surgery to the knee, shoulder and elbow. Properly applied and used, CPM increases the chances of obtaining maximum range of motion following surgery or trauma. Speak with your doctor today about the benefits of CPM therapy and prescribing CPM for you.

Patented Technology that Changes the Way Real Extension is Attained Post-Surgery

What does a knee CPM do?
Patented breakthrough Game Changer technology gives the physician the ability to minimize contractures of the knee to maintain and attain full range of motion as quickly as possible.

  • A newly introduced element or factor that changes an existing situation or activity in a significant way.
  • Ideal for patients with a known extension deficit or concern of one
  • Finally static stretch is combined with passive motion!
  • Game Changer knee extension assist device can maintain and attain range of motion

More Info

What does a knee CPM do?
Ideal for sports injury rehabilitation and other precise therapy applications. The Performa Knee CPM represents the state of the art in anatomical knee rehabilitation equipment.


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More Info

What does a knee CPM do?
The first choice in shoulder rehabilitation, the Centura Shoulder CPM offers a full range of anatomical motions. Helps to avoid post-operative shoulder joint stiffness, soft tissue contractions and muscle atrophy.


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What does a knee CPM do?
Offers physicians and their patients the utmost in versatility by providing anatomically correct passive motion of the elbow joint with or without synchronized pronation/supination of the forearm. In addition, the Kinetec 6080 rolls on locking wheels and is usable in bed or a chair. Its 135° range of motion fits a wide variety of applications while the variable speed control allows progressive changes in therapy. Accidental program changes and potential injuries can be avoided thanks to the lockable range-of-motion setting.


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A continuous passive motion (CPM) machine allows for movement of the joints after surgery. A person may use a CPM machine after undergoing surgery on joints such as the knee or hip.

Some people may find that a CPM machine helps increase range of motion, though research is unclear about whether or not they provide any significant benefits for recovery.

For this reason, a person should not be surprised if their doctor or surgeon does not suggest using this device.

Keep reading to learn more about how a CPM machine works, the potential benefits for use on different joints, and how a person can get a CPM machine for home use.

What does a knee CPM do?
Share on PinterestCPM machines can help increase a person’s range of motion after undergoing joint surgery.

A CPM machine is a piece of equipment that a person may use to help with recovery after undergoing joint surgery. The idea behind CPM machines is that they increase range of motion.

They provide sessions of continuous motion for joints that a person is unable to move freely.

People may experience pain when trying to move their joint after undergoing surgery. This can cause them to avoid moving the joint, which can result in stiffness, a loss of motion, and the development of scar tissue.

People may use a CPM machine after undergoing surgery to increase a joint’s range of motion.

Some research suggests that a CPM machine could:

  • reduce pain
  • reduce the length of hospital stays
  • reduce the need for manual movement of the joint while people are under anesthetics

However, the study authors conclude that there was insufficient evidence to determine the effect of a CPM machine on participants’ global assessment of treatment effectiveness.

A CPM machine provides regular joint movements without people needing to use their muscles. It can help bend a joint that may be stiff and difficult to move.

A person can place the affected body part into the CPM machine and control the machine with a handheld control. For example, they can use the control to start and stop the motion, as well as adjust the levels of movement.

The amount of time a person needs to use a CPM machine for will depend on their condition and which joint they are using it on. A healthcare professional will offer instructions on how to use the machine and for how long.

For example, a person using a CPM machine for hip recovery may use it for 4 hours per day for a period of 4 weeks. Healthcare professionals may advise others to use the machine for 45 minutes at a time and rest between sessions.

A CPM machine may have benefits for the following joints:

Knee

Some people may use a CPM machine for recovery from knee replacement surgery.

One 2014 review looked at the effectiveness of using a CPM machine after undergoing knee replacement surgery. The review covered 24 studies involving 1,445 participants.

It found that people using a CPM machine experienced the following benefits:

  • At week 6, participants using a CPM machine could bend their knee around 2 degrees more than those who did not use CPM.
  • At week 6, participants using a CPM machine scored their pain at an average of 2.6 out of 10, compared with 3 out of 10 for those who did not use CPM.
  • At month 6, people using CPM rated their quality of life one point higher than those not using a CPM machine.
  • On average, people using CPM had a 15% risk of experiencing a medical problem, compared with 16.3% for people not using CPM.
  • On average, people using CPM had a 1.6% risk of needing manipulation of the knee under anesthetics, compared with a 7.2% risk among people not using CPM.

However, the authors conclude that CPM did not provide any significant improvements in outcome for people who underwent knee replacement surgery.

Hip

Physical therapy through the use of a CPM machine may help aid recovery after undergoing hip surgery.

The aim of physical therapy is to:

  • increase flexibility
  • improve range of motion
  • reduce inflammation
  • relieve painful symptoms
  • reduce the risk of stiffness and the development of scar tissue

Using a CPM machine may help reduce loss of motion, which a person would require extensive physical therapy to regain.

For the hip, a person may use a CPM machine for 4 hours per day for a period of 4 weeks.

A person can get a CPM machine to use at their home. They may be able to request a CPM machine through their hospital and have the machine arrive at the hospital on the day of their surgery.

If a person has access to Medicare health insurance, they may be eligible for a CPM machine to use at their home. If they meet the criteria and require a CPM machine after undergoing knee surgery, Medicare can provide a CPM machine for people to use at their home for up to 21 days.

People can discuss costs and whether they are able to rent or buy the machine with their doctor. It is also possible to purchase a CPM machine online or from companies selling medical equipment.

Learn more about Medicare coverage for physical therapy here.

Using a CPM machine may help increase range of motion after undergoing surgery on a joint. A person may use a CPM machine after undergoing surgery on the knee or hip.

So far, research is unclear as to whether or not a CPM machine provides any significant benefits for recovery after surgery.

The effects of a CPM machine may depend on the individual’s condition and the affected joint. In some cases, using a CPM machine may help improve range of motion and relieve pain.

People can discuss the potential benefits of using a CPM machine with their doctor.

If a person experiences any negative effects of using a CPM machine — such as increased pain, swelling, or numbness — they should stop using it and contact a doctor straight away.

What are the benefits of using a CPM machine?

A CPM machine may help you recover from surgery or injury in the following ways:.
The range of motion (ROM) of your arm or leg will increase. The CPM machine will flex (bend) your joint for you. ... .
Your muscles may get stronger more quickly. ... .
You may have less pain. ... .
You may have increased blood flow in your arm or leg..

How long should you use a CPM machine?

CPM Machine A CPM may help prevent stiffness, pain and development of adhesions within the joint. How long do I use the machine? You will use the machine for approximately 2 weeks, sometimes longer if you are on crutches for an extended period of time. You will use the machine between 2-‐4 hours/day.

Can you use a CPM too much?

Although results indicate that prolonged CPM use might have a small short-term effect on RoM, routine use of prolonged CPM in patients with limited RoM at hospital discharge should be reconsidered, since neither long-term effects nor transfer to better functional performance was detected.

Can I sleep in my CPM machine?

Don't use the machine while sleeping, unless directed to do so by your doctor; and then, only under close supervision.