Compliance in using a pneumatic compression device after total knee arthroplasty.

A prospective study was performed to assess compliance with using a pneumatic foot compression device for venous thrombosis prophylaxis after total knee arthroplasty. One hundred patients received the PlexiPulse pneumatic compression device after unilateral total knee arthroplasty. Patients were observed postoperatively by the nurses on their floor and by 2 impartial research assistants. Total time the patient spent wearing the device (as observed) was termed total compliance. Actual compliance was calculated by subtracting unusable time from total compliance. A survey was also issued to both patients and nurses to evaluate the device regarding comfort, ease of use, and effectiveness. Overall, actual patient compliance was 90.1%. Patients responded favorably to the device in terms of comfort and ease of application and removal. Nurses rated the PlexiPulse device highly when asked to compare it with other pneumatic compression devices they had used before.