What is a CPM machine?
Continuous Passive Motion machines (CPM Machines) gently move a surgically repaired joint (knee, shoulder, elbow, etc.) in order to help keep the joint flexible and lubricated. It is used during care at a rehabilitation facility or in the comfort of a patient’s home. Joints can get stiff after an injury or surgical operation, especially if a patient is immobile. The most effective and efficient path toward any joint recovery is maintaining as much mobility as possible; however, this is often difficult because patients also experience a great deal of pain and physical lethargy, making mobility infrequent and undesirable.
CPM machines have been proven to:
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There are many benefits to using a CPM machine, including:
- Reduced pain (Boese et al. 2014)
- Reduced stiffness (Ververeli et al. 1995)
- Prevention of scar tissue
- Improved range of motion (Ritter et al. 1989; Denis et al. 2006)
- Accelerated recovery - (Leach & Murphy 2006; Beaupré et al. 2001)
- Lower incidence of thrombophlebitis (Vince et al. 1987)
- Enhanced joint lubrication
- Improved blood circulation
A patient’s joint, while placed in a CPM machine, moves in a comfortable, slow and rhythmic pattern. By increasing the fluid movement around the repaired joint, the continuous passive movement helps to reduce swelling, while also reducing pain. The continuous passive motion helps to keep the joint flexible and helps to increase the patient’s range of motion, reducing the risk of complications.
Continuous Passive Motion as a Proven Therapy
Continuous Passive Motion (CPM) is a treatment generally used after orthopedic surgery and has been practiced for over 30 years. After surgery, stiffness and pain are associated with bleeding and swelling which cause discomfort. CPM machines have proven to reduce pain and stiffness after surgeries by helping to stimulate blood flow and by reducing excess fluid in the joint.
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Sources
- Beaupré LA, Davies DM, Jones CA, Cinats JG. Exercise combined with continuous passive motion or slider board therapy compared with exercise only: a randomized controlled trial of patients following total knee arthroplasty. Phys Ther. 2001 Apr;81(4):1029-37. PMID: 11296803.
- Boese CK, Weis M, Phillips T, Lawton-Peters S, Gallo T, Centeno L. The efficacy of continuous passive motion after total knee arthroplasty: a comparison of three protocols. J Arthroplasty. 2014 Jun;29(6):1158-62. doi: 10.1016/j.arth.2013.12.005. Epub 2013 Dec 14. PMID: 24412145.
- Denis M, Moffet H, Caron F, Ouellet D, Paquet J, Nolet L. Effectiveness of continuous passive motion and conventional physical therapy after total knee arthroplasty: a randomized clinical trial. Phys Ther. 2006 Feb;86(2):174-85. PMID: 16445331.
- Leach W, Reid J, Murphy F. Continuous passive motion following total knee replacement: a prospective randomized trial with follow-up to 1 year. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2006 Oct;14(10):922-6. doi: 10.1007/s00167-006-0042-9. Epub 2006 Feb 18. PMID: 16489477.
- Ritter MA, Gandolf VS, Holston KS. Continuous passive motion versus physical therapy in total knee arthroplasty. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1989 Jul;(244):239-43. PMID: 2743665.
- Ververeli PA, Sutton DC, Hearn SL, Booth RE Jr, Hozack WJ, Rothman RR. Continuous passive motion after total knee arthroplasty. Analysis of cost and benefits. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1995 Dec;(321):208-15. PMID: 7497671.
- Vince KG, Kelly MA, Beck J, Insall JN. Continuous passive motion after total knee arthroplasty. J Arthroplasty. 1987;2(4):281-4. doi: 10.1016/s0883-5403(87)80060-8. PMID: 3430154.