The effectiveness of osteopathic manipulative treatment as complementary therapy following surgery: A prospective, match-controlled outcome study

Context Osteopathic manipulative treatment has been reported to relieve a v ariety of conditions, but no studies have examined the outcome effects of o steopathic manipulative treatment as a complementary modality for treating musculoskeletal problems during postoperative recovery. Objective To assess osteopathic manipulative treatment as a complementary t herapy for patients undergoing elective knee or hip arthroplasty. Design Prospective, single-blinded, P-group, match-controlled outcome study . Setting Osteopathic teaching hospital Patients Of 166 eligible patients, 38 were assigned to a treatment group an d matched with 38 control subjects. Intervention The treatment group received osteopathic manipulative treatmen t on postoperative days 2 through 5 Main Outcome Measures Days to independent negotiation of stairs, distance a mbulated, supplemental intramuscular analgesic use, length of hospital stay , and patients' perceptions of treatment. Results Compared to control subjects, the intervention group negotiated sta irs 20% earlier (Mean=4.3 postoperative days, SD=1.2; control subjects 54 S D=1.6, P=.006) and ambulated 43% farther on the third postoperative day (me an=24.3 m, SD=18.3; controls=13.9, SD=14.4 P=.008). The intervention group also required less analgesia, had shorter hospital stays, and ambulated far ther on postoperative days 1, 2, and 4 Conclusions, Patients receiving osteopathic manipulative treatment in the e arly postoperative period negotiated stairs earlier and ambulated greater d istances than did control group patients.