Evaluation of pain in bilateral total knee replacement with and without tourniquet; a prospective randomized control trial

Abstract

Aim: Thigh pain following tourniquet application is a common complaint in early post operative period following total knee arthroplasty.

Method: Post operative Thigh pain was evaluated in 30 consecutive simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty patients between July 2013 and January 2014. Patient thigh pain was evaluated with the VAS score. The scale was applied on first, second, third day & second and six weeks after surgery.

Result: There were statistically significant difference in VAS score in non-tourniquet group on first, second, third post operative day. We did not find statistically significant difference at Second and Six weeks post operatively.

Conclusion: This Randomized trial demonstrates that non-tourniquet use in TKA has less early postoperative pain and leads to better recovery.

Keywords: Bilateral; Thigh pain; Total knee arthroplasty; Tourniquet.

Figures

Fig. 1

VAS in both the thigh with tourniquet and without tourniquet.