Tourniquet Use Does Not Impact Trajectory of Total Knee Arthroplasty Early Recovery: study

Key findings of the study were:

• Tourniquet use did not have a statistically significant impact on daily VAS pain or opioid consumption during the first 30 days postoperatively (P > .05).

• Tourniquet use did not have a significant impact on OKS or FJS at 30 or 90 days postoperatively (P > .05), or on performance of formal physical therapy testing at 3 months postoperatively (P > .05).

• No significant differences were found between groups for any of the physical therapy performed functional assessments preoperatively or at 3 months postoperative.

“In conclusion, we have demonstrated that tourniquet use has no impact on objective functional recovery as assessed by wearable activity monitor during the first 30 days postoperatively. Additionally, we found no clinically significant increased pain or opioid requirement in patients who had a tourniquet used for their procedure. Also, no difference between the tourniquet and tourniquetless groups were found in traditional PROMs measured at 4 and 12 weeks postoperatively and in formal objective physical therapy assessment at 12 weeks postoperatively” – the authors commented.

Further reading:

Tourniquet Use Does Not Impact Trajectory of Total Knee Arthroplasty Early Recovery: A Prospective, Randomized Controlled Trial Charles M. Lawrie, Charles P. Hannon et al The Journal of Arthroplasty 38 (2023) S7-S13 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arth.2023.03.081