The Journal of arthroplasty
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Thigh pain following tourniquet application in simultaneous bilateral total knee replacement arthroplasty.
Thigh pain following tourniquet application is a common patient complaint in the early postoperative period following total knee arthroplasty. Postoperative thigh pain was evaluated in 28 consecutive simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty patients between April 1996 and October 1996. A prospective, double-blind, randomized clinical trial was performed. ⋯ At 6 weeks after surgery, the difference in thigh pain was gone. For total knee arthroplasty, using the tourniquet at a pressure of 100 mmHg above the systolic blood pressure is recommended. This is adequate to provide a bloodless field and will result in a less unpleasant postoperative period.