A Physical Therapist Administered Physical Activity Intervention After Total Knee Replacement

Standardized PT and a physical activity intervention. Participants will be provided a FitbitTM Zip within one week after enrolling in the study. Participants will self-track their steps/day using their FitbitTM Zip. Participants ≤ 3 weeks' post-operative TKR are expected to maintain and not increase steps/day. Beyond 3 weeks after surgery, step goals will be initiated and evaluated on a weekly basis. Progression of weekly steps/day goal will be a joint decision between the participant and physical therapist. As a guide, a 10-20% increase in steps/day until at least 6,000 steps/day is achieved. Each week the physical therapist will review the participant's steps/day goal and if at least 4 of the 7 previous days per week were at or above the prior week's steps/day goal, then next week's steps/day goal will increase. The physical therapist will discuss current steps/day with the participant using the Fitbit TM Zip and set a personalized steps/day goal each week during PT.

Participants in the control group will receive standardized PT provided by a licensed physical therapist at UDPT using the University of Delaware's Rehabilitation Guidelines for Unilateral Total Knee Replacement. Standardized PT also includes a printed home exercise program with an exercise log that is updated weekly by a physical therapist. PT appointment times range from 45-60 minutes with appointment occurring 1-3 times a week for 6-8 weeks.