COLD COMPRESSIVE DRESSING AFTER TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY

The efficacy of a cold compressive dressing after total knee arthropla sty (TKA) was prospectively studied in 105 knees in 76 patients. All c omponents were cemented. All patients were placed in continuous passiv e motion machines after operation. A cold compressive Cryocuff dressin g was applied to 50 knees after operation. An ACE wrap and ice pack we re applied to the knees of 55 control patients after operation. Postop erative range of motion was recorded as maximum active flexion at two to four days (interval one), at seven to 14 days (interval two), and f our to six weeks (interval three). Swelling was measured at the same t ime intervals by circumference at the midpatella and circumference at the distal thigh one inch proximal to the superior pole of the patella . Use of postoperative narcotics was calculated for postoperative days zero to three and for postoperative days four to seven. Wound drainag e was recorded for all knees. The use of a cold compressive dressing a fter TKA was not associated with an increase in range of motion at any point after the operation. The Cryocuff dressing did not appreciably reduce swelling around the knee after TKA. No significant difference w as found in the amount of postoperative wound drainage between the two groups of patients. In patients undergoing unilateral TKA, no signifi cant difference existed between the narcotic requirements of control p atients and patients wearing the cold compressive dressing.