The American journal of knee surgery
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
The use of the Cryo/Cuff versus ice and elastic wrap in the postoperative care of knee arthroscopy patients.
Pain and swelling, which may lead to inhibition of the extensor mechanism and ultimately a delay in rehabilitation, are common complications of knee arthroscopy. Cryotherapy is the most often used means of decreasing both knee edema and discomfort. A number of methods have been used to provide cold pressure dressings, including ice and elastic bandages. ⋯ The Cryo/Cuff patients also expressed a high level of satisfaction with the effectiveness and convenience of the therapy. There were no differences between either group in the amount of pain reported, or preoperative and postoperative examinations in regard to knee range of motion and thigh circumference. These results indicate that the Cryo/Cuff is a useful adjunct in the rehabilitation of knee arthroscopy patients.
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In a retrospective study of 179 total knee arthroplasties, 70 patients received tranexamic acid (Cyklokapron, Kabi Pharmacia, Uppsala, Sweden) before the tourniquet was released to reduce postoperative blood loss. A group of 109 patients who underwent surgery before this treatment was introduced served as controls. ⋯ Blood transfusions were reduced from 2 to 0 units (median values). Complications did not differ between the two groups apart from the number of postoperative hematomas.