Tourniquet application only during cement fixation in total knee arthroplasty: a double-blind, randomized controlled trial

Background: The functional benefits of tourniquet application for short periods compared with standard duration applications during total knee arthroplasty surgery have not been well explored. We aimed to compare functional outcomes between tourniquet application of short duration (during cement fixation only) and tourniquet application of longer duration (from skin incision to just after cement fixation). Methods: We planned to randomize 230 patients to short and long duration groups. The primary outcome was Oxford Knee Score at 10 weeks post‐surgery. In‐hospital blood transfusion rate was also a primary safety measure. Serial measures of knee function were taken together with knee range, quadriceps lag and timed stair tests. Results: The trial was discontinued after randomization of 65 patients. Interim analysis indicated a higher risk of transfusion (odds ratio 7.38, P= 0.015) in the short duration group. No significant difference was observed in Oxford Knee Score at 10 weeks. There were no between‐group differences in rate of recovery up to 52 weeks for any outcome. Conclusions: Restricting tourniquet application to the period of cementing is associated with a significantly higher risk of transfusion. This approach is impractical if it is not offset by gains in functional recovery.     

No difference in joint awareness after mobile- and fixed-bearing total knee arthroplasty: 3-year follow-up of a randomized controlled trial

Purpose

To compare the patients ability to forget the artificial knee joint in everyday life who were randomized to be operated for mobile- or fixed-bearing total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Methods

This single-center randomized controlled trial evaluated the 3-year follow-up of the cemented mobile- and fixed-bearing TKA from the same brand in a series of 41 patients. Clinical examination was during the pre-, 6-week, 6-month, 1-, 2- and 3-year follow-up containing multiple patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) including the 12-item Forgotten Joint Score (FJS-12) at 3 years. Effect size was calculated for each PROM at 3-year follow-up to quantify the size of the difference between both bearings.

Results

At 3-year follow-up, general linear mixed model analysis showed that there were no significant or clinically relevant differences between the two groups for all outcome measures. Calculated effect sizes were small (<0.3) for all the PROMs except for the FJS-12; these were moderate (0.5).

Conclusion

The results of this study demonstrate that joint awareness was slightly lower in patients operated with the MB TKA with comparable improved clinical outcome and PROMs at 3-year follow-up. Measuring joint awareness with the FJS-12 is useful and provides more stringent information at 3-year follow-up compared to other PROMs and should be the PROM of choice at each follow-up after TKA.

Level of evidence

Level I, randomized controlled trial.

     

Lumbar paravertebral nerve block in the management of pain after total hip and knee arthroplasty: a randomized controlled clinical trial

The accepted mode of pain management after total hip or knee arthroplasty is patient-controlled analgesia. This study evaluates the efficacy of lumbar paravertebral nerve block in diminishing postoperative pain when used as an adjunct to patient-controlled analgesia. A total of 115 arthroplasty patients received postoperatively a lumbar paravertebral nerve block (block, n = 57) or a sham procedure (control, n = 58). The block group required approximately 10 mg less morphine for pain control than the control group during the first 4 hours postoperatively (P<.001). There were no significant differences in morphine use between the groups 4 to 24 hours postoperatively. Visual analog scale pain score measurements at 4, 8, and 24 hours did not differ significantly between the groups. Paravertebral nerve block of the lumbar plexus is an invasive procedure with some risk. Considering the added risk and minimal benefits, routine use of this procedure is not supported.     

Cryotherapy temperature differences after total knee arthroplasty: a prospective randomized trial

In spite of its widespread use after orthopaedic procedures, the literature evaluating the clinical efficacy of cryotherapy is controversial. The purpose of this prospective randomized trial was to compare two different temperatures for administering cryotherapy after total knee arthroplasty with regards to short-term postoperative outcomes. Sixty-four subjects were assigned either the 45 degrees F group or the 75 degrees F group. Subjects in the 45 degrees group were as likely to report a lower pain score at the time of follow-up compared to the 75 degrees group. Our results demonstrate no additional analgesic effect associated with the lower temperature of cryotherapy. Postoperative narcotic consumption, postoperative drainage, self-reported knee function, and range of motion were not affected by the different cryotherapy temperatures. No adverse effects were reported with the cryotherapy treatment.     

Hemostatic matrix effects on blood loss after total knee arthroplasty: A randomized controlled trial

Background:

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) can result in major postoperative blood loss which can impact on the recovery and rehabilitation of patients. It also requires expensive transfusions. The purpose of the study was to investigate whether a hemostatic matrix, composed of cross-linked gelatin and a thrombin solution, would reduce blood loss in patients following TKA.

Materials and Methods:

This was a prospective, randomized, controlled study (Trial registration: Hospital S. Salvatore L’Aquila {"type":"entrez-protein","attrs":{"text":"ADJ00843","term_id":"299023578"}}ADJ00843) conducted in 93 patients. Criteria for participation were unilateral TKA for osteoarthritis, and a preoperative hemoglobin level >13 g/dL. The outcomes measured were postoperative hemoglobin and hematocrit levels measured at 24h, 72 h, and 7 days. The mean total postoperative blood loss was calculated from drainage volume, patient blood volume, hematocrit, and red blood cell volume. In addition, the drain output within 24 h following surgery and any transfusion requirements were determined.

Results:

Hemostatic matrix-treated patients (n = 51) showed significant reductions in calculated postoperative blood loss of 32.3% and 28.7% versus control in men and women, respectively (P < 0.01). Postoperative blood loss after 24 h in drain was significantly less with the hemostatic matrix versus control, as were decreases in hemoglobin levels 7 days post-surgery (each P < 0.01). Three patients in the control group required blood transfusion, whereas no blood transfusions were necessary in the hemostatic matrix group.

Conclusion:

The use of a hemostatic matrix provides a safe and effective means to reduce blood loss and blood transfusion requirements in TKA.     

Use of intravenous tranexamic acid in total knee arthroplasty: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Objective:The effect of tranexamic acid (TA) on patients receiving total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has been reported in many small clinical trials.But single trials are not sufficient enough to clarify t...     

全膝关节置换术后膝关节线改变与膝前痛的相关性

目的 探讨全膝关节置换术后膝关节线改变与膝前痛的相关性.方法 回顾性分析2008年1月至2010年12月因膝关节骨关节炎行初次全膝关节置换的76例患者的病例资料,男11例,女65例;年龄47～83岁,平均(68.88±7.61)岁.术中应用PFC后稳定型固定平台膝关节假体.术后每12个月定期门诊随访一次.根据Figgie膝关节线测量方法对术前及随访时的关节线进行测量,并计算术前、术后关节线的变化.关节线升高为正值,关节线降低为负值.采用Feller评分法评估术前及随访时的髌骨功能.评估术后24个月的关节线改变水平与Feller髌骨评分的相关性.结果 关节线改变-6.8～10.44 mm,平均(2.69±3.31) mm.随膝关节线升高,Feller髌骨评分呈下降趋势;关节线改变值与Feller髌骨评分呈负相关(r=-0.763,P=0.000).随关节线降低,Feller髌骨评分呈下降趋势;关节线改变值与髌骨评分呈正相关(r=0.914,P=0.000).术后12、24个月关节线改变4 mm以内的患者(55例)Feller髌骨评分均高于关节线改变大于4 mm的患者(21例),差异有统计学意义(t=12.648,P=0.000;t=11.775,P=0.000).结论 对后稳定型固定平台膝关节假体,关节线改变与膝前痛具有相关性,保持关节线变化在±4 mm以内有利于恢复膝关节功能.     

Navigation-assisted less invasive total knee arthroplasty compared with conventional total knee arthroplasty: a randomized prospective trial

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the hypothesis that a less invasive (LIS) surgical technique using a navigation system would promote rapid recovery and improve alignment compared with conventional technique in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This study compared 49 navigation-assisted LIS TKAs with 53 conventionally performed TKAs using a medial parapatellar arthrotomy with patellar eversion. Navigation-assisted LIS TKA used a shorter skin incision, a midvastus approach without patella eversion, and a navigation system. Navigation-assisted LIS TKA had better pain scores, shorter times to achieve 90 degrees flexion and straight leg raise, and a smaller extension lag during the very early postoperative period. However, there were no differences between the groups 2 weeks postoperatively. There were no differences in mean prosthetic alignment between the 2 groups, but the navigation-assisted LIS group had fewer "outliers" than the conventionally performed TKA group.     

No positive effect of autologous platelet gel after total knee arthroplasty: A double-blind randomized controlled trial: 102 patients with a 3-month follow-up

Background and purpose Activated platelets release a cocktail of growth factors, some of which are thought to stimulate repair. We investigated whether the use of autologous platelet gel (PG) in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) would improve wound healing and knee function, and reduce blood loss and the use of analgesics.Patients and methods 102 patients undergoing TKA were randomly assigned to a PG group (n = 50) or to a control (C) group (n = 52). The primary analysis was based on 73 participants (PG: 32; C: 41) with comparison of postoperative wound scores, VAS, WOMAC, knee function, use of analgesics, and the pre- and postoperative hemoglobin values after a follow-up of 3 months. 29 participants were excluded due to insufficient data.Results The characteristics of the protocol-compliant patients were similar to those of the patients who were excluded. Analysis was per protocol and focused on the remaining 73 patients. At baseline and after 3 months of follow-up, there were no statistically significant differences between both groups regarding age, height, weight, sex, side of operation, platelet count, hemoglobin values, severity of complaints (WOMAC), and level of pain.Interpretation In our patients undergoing TKA, application of PG to the wound site did not promote wound healing. Also, we found that PG had no effect on pain, knee function, or hemoglobin values.     

Anterior knee pain after total knee arthroplasty: a narrative review

Anterior knee pain is one of the most common causes of persistent problems after implantation of a total knee replacement. It can occur in patients with or without patellar resurfacing. As a result of the surgical procedure itself many changes can occur which may affect the delicate interplay of the joint partners in the patello-femoral joint. Functional causes of anterior knee pain can be distinguished from mechanical causes. The functional causes concern disorders of inter- and intramuscular coordination, which can be attributed to preoperative osteoarthritis. Research about anterior knee pain has shown that not only the thigh muscles but also the hip and trunk stabilising muscles may be responsible for the development of a dynamic valgus malalignment. Dynamic valgus may be a causative factor for patellar maltracking. The mechanical causes of patello-femoral problems after knee replacement can be distinguished according to whether they increase instability in the joint, increase joint pressure or whether they affect the muscular lever arms. These causes include offset errors, oversizing, rotational errors of femoral or tibial component, instability, maltracking and chondrolysis, patella baja and aseptic loosening. In these cases, reoperation or revision is often necessary.     

Comparing outcomes of medial parapatellar and subvastus approaches in total knee arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial

The medial parapatellar (MP) approach in total knee arthroplasty is more common, but the subvastus (SV) approach is less insulting to the quadriceps. Whether the SV approach affords better outcomes was investigated using 90 participants with knee osteoarthritis, randomized to receive either SV or MP approaches and followed for 18 months. The primary outcome was the American Knee Society Score (AKSS); secondary outcomes included pain, knee range, quadriceps lag, Oxford Knee Score, 3-m timed "Up and Go" test, days to straight leg raise, surgeon perceived difficulty, operation duration, and length of stay. Analysis (n = 76) revealed no significant difference in AKSS (P = .076) or other outcomes, except the following: AKSS Functional scores at 12 and 18 months, favoring the MP (P = .032 and P = .028 respectively); surgeon's perceived difficulty, favoring the MP (P = .001); and days to straight leg raise, favoring the SV (P = .044). This study found that the SV approach offers no clinical benefit over the MP approach.     

Drain clamping in knee arthroplasty, a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine whether repeated clamping of a suction drainage system will result in less external blood loss, blood transfusion and no increase in complications compared to a routine continuous suction drainage system. This was a randomized prospective study on patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty. METHODS: Group A patients' drains were left clamped for all but 5 min (or 100 mL drainage) every 2 h for the first 6 h, then at 12-h and 24-h periods, when the drains were removed. Group B patients had continuous suction drainage. The amount of external blood loss, transfusion requirements and complications were compared between the two groups. The study group comprised 66 patients. RESULTS: The mean external blood loss in the clamped drain group was 296.67 mL (standard deviation 160.28 mL) with a mean drain in situ time of 32 h, significantly less (P < 0.05) than the continuous drain group that had a mean external blood loss of 796 mL (standard deviation 250.34 mL) with a mean drain in situ time of 34 h. There was no difference in the requirements for transfusion between the two groups. CONCLUSION: We conclude that clamping drains intermittently in hybrid total knee arthroplasty results in significantly less external blood loss with no change in morbidity or mortality. This study was a level 1 therapeutic study (i.e. with level of evidence randomized control trial with a significant difference).     

单侧全膝人工关节置换术后引流选择的随机对照研究

目的 比较单侧全膝人工关节置换术后引流与否的差异.方法 2006年2月至2007年2月100例单侧全膝人工关节置换术患者随机分为未引流组和引流组(对照组),每组50例,进行前瞻性研究.通过Gross方程推算,对术后总失血量(显性失血量+隐性失血量)和输血量进行分析;并对两组术后并发症及功能恢复状况进行比较.结果 引流组患者总失血量为(535±295)ml,隐性失血量为(513±290)ml;对照组患者总失血量为(853±331)ml,隐性失血量(689±324)ml;未引流组总失血量明显少于对照组(t=5.4611,P<0.05).未引流组患者术后输血量为(112±226)ml,对照组(316±283)ml,未引流组明显少于对照组(t=3.9852,P<0.05).术后输血人次未引流组为11例,对照组为32例,未引流组输血率明显低于对照组(未校正χ~2=18,P<0.05).两组间术后并发症的发生率及功能恢复差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).结论 单侧全膝人工全膝关节置换术术后不放引流组无论总失血量,还是术后输血量均少于对照组,且输血率低.两组术后并发症的发生率及术后膝关节功能恢复无明显差异.