CPM

All About Continuous Passive Motion Machine

Being able to maintain or regain mobility is important to maintaining your quality of life, especially after an injury or surgery. Recovering from surgery (any surgery) presents a unique set of challenges that includes pain management, restoring range of motion, and strengthening muscles. Your surgeon or doctor may recommend physical therapy after a surgery on your knee, elbow, hip, or other joints. Any rehabilitation program in these instances may benefit from the use of a Continuous Passive Motion Machine or CPM. Visit HPFY to see our wide range of CPM devices. 

What Is a Continuous Passive Motion Machine? 

Early and aggressive mobility training after surgery that involves the use of a continuous passive motion machine is a great strategy for regaining mobility and range of motion. So what exactly is a CPM and how does a CPM machine work? Simply put, a CPM is a motorized device that passively manipulates a joint through its full range of motion. The benefits include: 

• Promotes mobility 
• Restores range of motion 
• Pain relief 
• Increase circulation 

When to use CPM Machine

When used as part of a rehab program, it can improve healing and possibly shorten recovery while minimizing clinical outcomes. CPM machines are often used for individuals who have had joint replacement surgery, rotator cuff surgery, or scar tissue excision. Other injuries that can benefit from a CPM machine are: 

• Upper/lower extremity fractures 
• Achilles tendon repairs 
• Ankle reconstruction surgery 
• Post-burn stiffness 

Types of CPM 

Since each individual patient has their specific need, continuous passive motion machines also come in different types for different joints. A CPM designed for a knee wouldn’t be appropriate for a shoulder injury, right? The different types of CPM are: 

1. Knee CPM Machines

The knee is the most common area for CPM applications. With knee replacement surgery becoming more commonplace, patients who have had total joint replacements, ACL/MCL surgery, or lower extremity fractures can benefit the most from these CPM machines. 

2. Ankle CPM Machines

Many of these CPM devices can be used in a multitude of areas such as a bed, chair, or even both. These continuous passive motion machines offer range of motion in various directions such as dorsiflexion/plantarflexion and inversion/eversion. 

3. Shoulder CPM Machines

These CPM devices promote mobility at the glenohumeral joint after surgery or injury. By passively moving the joint within a prescribed range of motion, shoulder mobility can be maintained without the need of muscle contraction. This can protect the injured area or any surgically repaired area. 

4. Elbow CPM Machines

After elbow surgery or injury, a CPM device that passively ranges the elbow can expedite healing. When used for elbow range of motion, some CPM devices can incorporate forearm pronation/supination as well as elbow flexion and extension. Some elbow CPM devices can be incorporated into shoulder continuous passive motion machines, while others are standalone units. 

5. Hand/Wrist CPM Machines

Since hand and wrist function can be complex, maintaining or regaining range of motion after surgery in this area can be critical to upper extremity function. Many of these CPM devices target wrist, thumb, forearm, and finger movements and can be quite versatile. 

Regaining mobility and reducing pain after surgery is the main goal of any rehabilitation program and the use of a continuous passive motion machine can help facilitate that. While continuous passive motion machines can help to regain or maintain range of motion, they should be used in conjunction with physical therapy and should always be used in a stable place.