Foot massage and cold therapy for pain after total knee replacement

The Effect of Foot Massage on Pain, Satisfaction, and Analgesic Consumption in Patients Undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty

NA · Cukurova University · NCT07126340

We will test whether adding twice-daily foot massage to routine cold packs helps lower pain and reduce pain medication after total knee replacement.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment60 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorCukurova University (other)
Locations1 site (Adana, University)
Trial IDNCT07126340 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a randomized controlled trial conducted in the Orthopedics and Traumatology Department at Çukurova University Balcalı Hospital. Eligible patients undergoing unilateral total knee arthroplasty are randomly assigned to receive either cold application alone or cold application plus foot massage. Cold therapy is given for 20 minutes every 2 hours during the first 48 hours after surgery, and foot massage is performed twice daily for two days after drain removal using a standardized technique. Outcomes include postoperative pain scores, patient satisfaction, and analgesic consumption recorded during the early postoperative period.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults (age 18+) having unilateral total knee replacement at Çukurova University who speak Turkish and have no cognitive, visual, or hearing impairments are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients with diabetes, neurological or cerebrovascular disease, deep vein thrombosis, significant psychiatric or cognitive disorders, or those unable to receive foot massage are unlikely to benefit or are excluded.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, adding foot massage could reduce postoperative pain and lower the amount of pain medication needed after knee replacement.

How similar studies have performed: Some small trials and clinical reports suggest massage or cold therapy can help postoperative pain, but larger randomized data specifically in total knee arthroplasty are limited.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria

* Being 18 years or older
* Ability to speak Turkish
* No visual or hearing impairment
* No cognitive disability
* Undergoing unilateral knee replacement surgery
* Volunteering to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria

* Presence of any intellectual disability or psychiatric disorder
* History of diabetes
* Presence of neurological or cerebrovascular disease
* Diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis

Where this trial is running

Adana, University

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Knee Osteoarthritis, Cold Therapy, Total Knee Arthroplasty, Postoperative Pain, Foot Massage, Analgesic Consumption

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.