The STAK tool for preventing and treating knee stiffness

The technology described in this briefing is the STAK tool. It is for people who have had knee trauma or surgery, to prevent and treat knee stiffness (arthrofibrosis).

The innovative aspects are that it uses a person's own leverage and gravity to achieve higher increases in the range of knee movement.

The intended place in therapy would be after knee trauma or surgery as an alternative to physiotherapy in people who have had knee surgery or suffered from a knee trauma such as a fracture or dislocation.

The main points from the evidence summarised in this briefing are from 1 block-randomised prospective observational study including 35 adults after knee surgery in an NHS trust. It shows that the STAK tool can be more effective at improving range of movement and patient-reported quality-of-life measures than physiotherapy alone in people who have had knee surgery and have knee stiffness.

Key uncertainties around the evidence or technology are that there is currently 1 published study from 1 NHS trust. It is unclear if this is representative of the whole NHS.

The cost of the STAK tool is £250 per unit (excluding VAT). The cost of standard care is around £55 per group session.