Tranexamic Acid Use on Pain, Mobility and Bleeding Following Total Hip and Total Knee Arthroplasty (TXA)

The Impact of Additional Post-operative Doses of Tranexamic Acid on Pain, Mobility and Bleeding Following Total Hip and Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Tranexamic acid (TXA) is an anti-fibrinolytic agent developed in the 1960s that has been safely used to reduce blood loss, transfusion rates and bleeding-associated mortality in trauma, obstetrics and orthopedic surgery, including hip fracture care and arthroplasty.

The efficacy and safety profile of TXA has been extensively studied in numerous clinical trials and observational studies. Its wide range of applications, combined with its favourable risk-benefit ratio, has led to the incorporation of TXA into clinical guidelines and protocols worldwide.

This RCT aims to compare the current standard dosing for TXA to additional TXA doses given orally post-operatively for THA and TKA patients. The goal is to compare the following between study groups: visible bleeding on post-operative dressing, mobilization (steps, amount of time moving around), pain (visual analog scale), function (Oxford hip and knee scales) and ROM at four to six weeks.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Postoperative Bleeding
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: Tranexamic acid

Detailed Description

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) are some of the most common surgical procedures performed in elderly patients, with the main indication being end-stage osteoarthritis. While these procedures can result in a significant amount of bleeding, pain and stiffness post-operatively, they have been increasingly performed as day surgeries and with reduced length of stay.

Tranexamic acid (TXA) is an anti-fibrinolytic agent developed in the 1960s that has been safely used to reduce blood loss, transfusion rates and bleeding-associated mortality in trauma, obstetrics and orthopedic surgery, including hip fracture care and arthroplasty.

The efficacy and safety profile of TXA has been extensively studied in numerous clinical trials and observational studies. Its wide range of applications, combined with its favourable risk-benefit ratio, has led to the incorporation of TXA into clinical guidelines and protocols worldwide.

The current standard of care at St-Mary's for TXA use is one gram given intravenously (IV) at the beginning of the replacement and one gram given during cementation. However, despite the established benefits of TXA, the optimal dosing regimen continues to be an area of ongoing research and discussion.

TXA and post-operative hemoglobin and hematocrit levels The use of TXA in knee and hip arthroplasty has been shown to have clear and significant benefits in reducing the post-operative drop in hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Hct) but the duration of use has ranged from a single pre-operative dose to a prolonged 14-day course. Researchers reported higher post-operative Hb and Hct following THA and TKA using a three-day course of TXA compared to a single pre-operative dose of 1.5g. However another study, showed no added benefit of the addition of a second post-operative dose to the single pre-operative dose. Similarly, an randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing TXA doses at pre, during and three hours post-operative to the same with additional doses at six and 12 hours and showed no added benefit of the additional two doses on Hb or Hct levels. In contrast to this, three RCTs performed in 2019 and 2021 showed improved Hb and Hct levels with TXA use beyond a minimum of seven hours post-operatively and two involved the use of TXA given by mouth (PO), which is ideal in the ambulatory setting.

TXA and Ambulation/Motion The majority of the studies involving varying doses of TXA following THA and TKA have not assessed articular motion nor ambulation post-operatively. These can have an impact on patient satisfaction as well as the ability to mobilize and be able to leave the hospital earlier. TXA was compared to placebo and demonstrated that patients who received TXA ambulated 20% more during physiotherapy sessions. Several TXA regimens with patients receiving a minimum of three post-operative doses (maximum of four post-operative doses were studied),showed having significantly better range of motion (ROM) than patients who received less. Additionally, these patients reported less post-operative pain.

TXA and Complications

No increase in adverse events were reported in any of these studies following prolonged TXA use. Cardiovascular events, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), renal failure or superficial thrombosis were not different among study groups in the rare cases where they occurred, even with oral TXA given for up to 14 days post-operatively

. At St-Mary's Hospital, we perform a large number of TKAs and THAs, around 1100 per year (600 knees, 500 hips), making us the most productive hospital performing these procedures in Québec. Also, partly driven by the constraints of the pandemic over the past three years, we have successfully and safely reduced the length of stay for our patients and converted hundreds of patients to day surgery. Bleeding, however, remains a significant source of patient anxiety, with 10% of our ambulatory cases needing additional CLSC care or even return to hospital. Rapid mobilization and decrease in post- operative pain are also key factors for a rapid and safe discharge from hospital.

In this RCT, we aim to compare our current standard dosing for TXA to additional TXA doses given orally post-operatively for our THA and TKA patients. We will be the first of this type of study to assess patient mobility using a wearable device that will allow for precise measurement of step counts, amount of time moving around and sleep times. Also new compared to previous studies, will be our assessment of bleeding complications requiring intervention and needs for additional hospital or nursing visits, both of which have and impact on the cost of care. Pain (VAS scale), function (Oxford hip and knee scales) and ROM will also be assessed at 4-6 weeks.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 210
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Jennifer Mutch, MDCM, FRCSC; Phone Number: 3282 514 345 3511; Email: j.mutch.ortho@gmail.com
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Sandhya Baskaran, MBA, M.ED; Phone Number: 514 239 0042; Email: sandhya.baskaran.comtl@ssss.gouv.qc.ca

Study Locations

• Canada
  • Quebec
    • Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H3T 1M5
      • Recruiting
      • St. Mary's Hospital Center
      • Contact: Jennifer Mutch, MDCM, FRCSC; Phone Number: 3282 514 345 3511; Email: j.mutch.ortho@gmail.com
      • Contact: Sandhya Baskaran, MBA, M.ED; Phone Number: 514 239 0042; Email: sandhya.baskaran.comtl@ssss.gouv.qc.ca
      • Principal Investigator: Jennifer Mutch, MD FRCP

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

° All adults undergoing primary TKA and THA at St-Mary's Hospital

Exclusion Criteria:

• Age < 18 years
• Known hypersensitivity or allergy to TXA
• Previous history of thromboembolic disease
• Active malignancy (all current cancers other than local skin cancer)
• Significant renal disease (hematuria, dialysis, kidney transplant)
• History of convulsions
• Known defective colour vision
• Inability or unwillingness to use MyMobility app
• Unable to communicate in French or English

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Triple

Number of Arms

3

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: 2) Standard + 1G oral TXA - 0 and 8 hours post-operatively; Standard + 1G oral TXA given at 0 and 8 hours post-operatively	Drug: Tranexamic acid; This is a 3 arm RCT using the three dosage regimens mentioned above. Placebo doses will be provided for the 0, 8, 16 and 24 hours without TXA; Other Names: CYKLOKAPRON
Active Comparator: 3) Standard + 1G oral TXA given at 0, 8, 16 and 24 hours post-operatively; Standard + 1G oral TXA given at 0, 8, 16 and 24 hours post-operatively	Drug: Tranexamic acid; This is a 3 arm RCT using the three dosage regimens mentioned above. Placebo doses will be provided for the 0, 8, 16 and 24 hours without TXA; Other Names: CYKLOKAPRON
Active Comparator: 1)Standard care: 1G TXA IV; 1 gm TA IV given prior to incision and 1G TXA IV during cementation or closure	Drug: Tranexamic acid; This is a 3 arm RCT using the three dosage regimens mentioned above. Placebo doses will be provided for the 0, 8, 16 and 24 hours without TXA; Other Names: CYKLOKAPRON

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Step counts at 24 and 48 hours post -operative	We hypothesize that patients receiving additional doses of TXA will mobilize more at 24 and 48 hours post- operatively and that this will be dose-dependent.	Post-operative

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Measure of quality of life using the 12-Item Short Form Survey (SF-12):	Regarding minimum and maximum values, there are two summary scores that are reported from the SF-12: there is a mental component score (MCS-12) and a physical component score (PCS-12). The scores may also be reported as Z-scores where a difference would be compared to the population average. In the literature, SF-12 results have also been computed as a range going from a minimum value of 0 to a maximum value of 100, where higher scores indicate better physical and mental health functioning.	This measurement will be taken pre-operatively, 4 to 6 weeks postoperatively, 3 months postoperatively and 6 months post-operatively.
Assessment of catastrophic thinking related to pain utilizing the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS):	Minimum score of 0 and maximum score of 52. The higher scores indicate higher levels of catastrophizing.	Pre-operative
Assessment and screening for depression and anxiety in patients utilizing the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS) :	Minimum score of 0 and maximum score of 21. The higher scores indicate higher distress.	Pre-operative
Reported pain using the visual analog pain (VAS) scale:	The pain VAS scale involves a numerical rating scale or a descriptive rating scale that progressively goes from a minimal value indicating severe pain to a maximal value indicating good pain management.	This measurement will be collected on postoperative day 0, 1,2,3,5 and 7.
Reported pain self-reported in patient journal and possibly in-patient charts:	This is a numerical value. Patient journals and/or in-patient charts, if applicable, would be screened for frequency of opioid use as a way of evaluating pain management post-operatively.	These journals and/or in-patient charts will be verified on postoperative day 0,1,2,3,5 and 7.
Range of motion (ROM) of the hip (if applicable):	Measuring ROM of the hip taken pre-operatively, post-operatively and 4 to 6 weeks post-operatively if patient received a total hip arthroplasty (THA)	4 - 6 weeks post op
Range of motion (ROM) of the knee (if applicable):	Measuring ROM of the knee taken pre-operatively, post-operatively and 4 to 6 weeks post-operatively if patient received a total knee arthroplasty (TKA).	4 - 6 weeks post op
Patient self-assessment of functionality and pain measured pre-operatively, 4 to 6 weeks postoperatively, 3 months postoperatively and 6 months post-operatively following total hip arthroplasty utilizing the Oxford Hip Score (OHS):	Minimal value of 0 and maximal value of 48. The higher scores indicate more satisfactory joint function.	4 to 6 weeks postoperatively, 3 months postoperatively and 6 months post-operatively
Patient self-assessment of functionality and pain measured pre-operatively, 4 to 6 weeks postoperatively, 3 months postoperatively and 6 months post-operatively following total knee arthroplasty utilizing the Oxford Knee Score (OKS):	joint function.	4 to 6 weeks postoperatively, 3 months postoperatively and 6 months post-operatively
Daily step counts	To be measured with an application (MyMobility) on a smartphone or smartwatch used by the patient. This is a numerical value simply describing the number of steps taken by the patient on a day-to-day basis. This measurement will be collected pre-operatively (until OR), on post-operative day 0,1,2,3,5,7 and 4 to 6 weeks postoperatively.	Post-operative day 0,1,2,3,5,7 and 4 to 6 weeks postoperatively.
Bleeding Complications requiring intervention	Bleeding that require a specific intervntion from CLSC/Clinic/Hospital visits	Return to the emergency room or bleeding complications will be noted.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: St. Mary's Research Center, Canada
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Jennifer Mutch, MDCM, FRCSC, St. Mary's Hospital Centre

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): August 20, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): April 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 1, 2027

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: November 2, 2023
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 4, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): January 17, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 28, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 22, 2026
• Last Verified: April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Postoperative Complications; Pathologic Processes; Hemorrhage; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Postoperative Hemorrhage; Organic Chemicals; Carboxylic Acids; Acids, Carbocyclic; Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; Tranexamic Acid
• Other Study ID Numbers: 2024-1082

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No