Home-Based vs. Clinic-Based Rehabilitation After Joint Arthroplasty: A Prospective Matched Cohort Study

Background: Post-operative rehabilitation after total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a crucial phase in the recovery process. The choice between clinic-based rehabilitation (CBR) and home-based rehabilitation (HBR) depends on the patient’s specific needs, available resources, and individual preferences. This study aimed to compare CBR and HBR in terms of short-term post-operative functionality in patients who underwent THA and TKA. Methods: A prospective matched cohort study was performed on 120 patients who underwent primary THA and TKA; 60 patients underwent HBR, and 60 underwent CBR. Data gathered included instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), as well as visual analogue scale (VAS), Vail Hip Score (VHS), and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) questionnaire results. Results: Statistically significant recovery was found in terms of VAS, VHS, and WOMAC in the HBR and CBR groups (all p < 0.001) after THA and TKA. Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that higher values of VHS and WOMAC at 1 month were associated with better values of VAS, VHS, and WOMAC preoperatively (r = 0.095, p = 0.021). Conclusion: HBR showed similar short-term postoperative outcomes when compared with CBR for patients who underwent total joint arthroplasty. Greater preoperative joint functionality, a lower level of pain, and a female gender predicted better functional outcomes at 1 month after surgery in both groups.