Yuangang Wu1, Yi Zeng1, Canfeng Li1, Jian Zhong1, Qinsheng Hu1, Fuxing Pei1, Bin Shen2. 1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, 610041, China. 2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, 610041, China. shenbin_1971@163.com.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to investigate the benefits of three different post-operative limb positions in primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: The trial was a single-surgeon, randomized, controlled trial, and 135 patients following primary TKA were randomized into three groups: group A (45 patients who were treated with the hip fixed at 50° and knee flexed at 90° for 6 hours post-operatively), group B (45 patients who were treated with the hip elevated at 30° and knee flexed at 45° for 6 hours post-operatively), and group C (45 patients in whom the affected knee was fully extended after surgery). Tranexamic acid was used in all patients. RESULTS: The total blood loss and hidden blood loss in group A (921 ± 209 mL, 597 ± 213 mL) were significantly less than in groups B (1125 ± 222 mL, 784 ± 229 mL) and C (1326 ± 291 mL, 915 ± 301 mL) and less in group B compared with group C. The drain volume in groups A (158 ± 35 mL) and B (174 ± 45 mL) was significantly lower than in group C (249 ± 31 mL). The maximum haemoglobin drop in group A (3.1 ± 0.5 g/dL) was statistically significantly less than in groups B (3.6 ± 0.7 g/dL) and C (4.3 ± 0.4 g/dL). The range of motion (ROM) in groups A (102 ± 3°, 105 ± 2°) and B (100 ± 3°, 104 ± 2°) was significantly better than in group C (98 ± 3°, 102 ± 2°) at the time of discharge and one month after surgery; it was also significantly less for group A (104.9 ± 2.1%, 108.0 ± 2.4%) compared with groups B (106.7 ± 3.1%, 108.3 ± 2.7%) and C (108.4 ± 3.2%, 110.6 ± 3.0%) with post-operative knee swelling. No differences in transfusion requirements and complications were observed among the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: The affected knee flexion position was superior to the use of a fully extended position for blood management, but it only contributed to better early functional recovery up to three months post-operatively in TKA. In addition, by fixing the affected knee at a high flexion position of 90°, patients could achieve less blood loss, lower knee swelling, and better early results for ROM and patient satisfaction than the other two groups.
RCT Entities:
INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to investigate the benefits of three different post-operative limb positions in primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: The trial was a single-surgeon, randomized, controlled trial, and 135 patients following primary TKA were randomized into three groups: group A (45 patients who were treated with the hip fixed at 50° and knee flexed at 90° for 6 hours post-operatively), group B (45 patients who were treated with the hip elevated at 30° and knee flexed at 45° for 6 hours post-operatively), and group C (45 patients in whom the affected knee was fully extended after surgery). Tranexamic acid was used in all patients. RESULTS: The total blood loss and hidden blood loss in group A (921 ± 209 mL, 597 ± 213 mL) were significantly less than in groups B (1125 ± 222 mL, 784 ± 229 mL) and C (1326 ± 291 mL, 915 ± 301 mL) and less in group B compared with group C. The drain volume in groups A (158 ± 35 mL) and B (174 ± 45 mL) was significantly lower than in group C (249 ± 31 mL). The maximum haemoglobin drop in group A (3.1 ± 0.5 g/dL) was statistically significantly less than in groups B (3.6 ± 0.7 g/dL) and C (4.3 ± 0.4 g/dL). The range of motion (ROM) in groups A (102 ± 3°, 105 ± 2°) and B (100 ± 3°, 104 ± 2°) was significantly better than in group C (98 ± 3°, 102 ± 2°) at the time of discharge and one month after surgery; it was also significantly less for group A (104.9 ± 2.1%, 108.0 ± 2.4%) compared with groups B (106.7 ± 3.1%, 108.3 ± 2.7%) and C (108.4 ± 3.2%, 110.6 ± 3.0%) with post-operative knee swelling. No differences in transfusion requirements and complications were observed among the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: The affected knee flexion position was superior to the use of a fully extended position for blood management, but it only contributed to better early functional recovery up to three months post-operatively in TKA. In addition, by fixing the affected knee at a high flexion position of 90°, patients could achieve less blood loss, lower knee swelling, and better early results for ROM and patient satisfaction than the other two groups.
Entities:
Keywords:
Blood loss; Limb positions; Range of motion; Total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Douglas A Dennis; Andrew J Kittelson; Charlie C Yang; Todd M Miner; Raymond H Kim; Jennifer E Stevens-Lapsley Journal: Clin Orthop Relat Res Date: 2016-01 Impact factor: 4.176