Background The infrapatellar fat pad is one of the structures that obscures exposure in minimally invasive total knee arthroplasty (MIS TKA). Most MIS TKA surgeons (and many surgeons who use other approaches as well) excise the fat pad for better exposure of the knee. There is still controversy about the result of fat pad excision on patella baja, pain, and function. Questions/purposes In the setting of a randomized controlled trial, we sought to determine whether infrapatellar fat pad excision during MIS TKA causes (1) patellar tendon shortening (as measured by patella baja); (2) increased anterior knee pain; (3) decreases in the Knee Society Score or functional subscore; or (4) more patella-related complications.Methods We randomized 90 patients undergoing MIS TKA at one institution into two groups. In one group, 45 patients underwent MIS TKA with complete infrapatellar fat pad excision and in the other group, 45 patients received MIS TKA without infrapatellar fat pad excision. The patella was selectively resurfaced in these patients; there was no difference between the groups in terms of the percentage of patients whose patellae were resurfaced. We measured patellar tendon shortening, knee flexion, anterior knee pain, Knee Society Score (KSS), functional subscore, and patellar complications at preoperative and postoperative periods of 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year; complete followup data were available on 86% of patients (77 of 90) who were enrolled.

BackgroundIntravenous tranexamic acid (IV TXA) is one of the most effective agents in use for reducing blood loss following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) but its safety regarding venous thromboembolic events (VTEs) remains in question. The direct, local application of TXA may reduce systemic toxicity whilst maintaining good or better bleeding control compared to IV TXA. The topical application of TXA via Hemovac drains has been reported previously with good results. However, there are no data on peri-articular TXA injections during TKA.MethodsWe conducted an open randomized, pilot study of peri-articular vs. IV TXA in 60 patients undergoing TKA. 30 patients received either: (i) 750 mg peri-articular TXA into the medial, lateral capsules and the quadriceps tendon prior to capsular closure and tourniquet deflation (group1), or (ii) 750 mg of IV TXA just before tourniquet deflation. Blood loss in the hemovac drain and hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations were measured at 24 and 48 h (h), and the number of blood transfusions and leg circumference measurements were recorded.ResultsAt 48 h, the total blood loss in the hemovac drain was 445 mL in group 1 vs. 520 mL in group 2 (p = 0.081) and the corresponding declines in Hb were 1.85 g/dL vs. 1.87 g/dL (p = 0.84). 16 patients received blood transfusions: 9 vs. 7 in groups 1 and 2, respectively (p = 0.928). There were no differences in thigh and lower leg circumferences, pain scores, knee flexion at discharge date and lengths of hospital stay. There were no clinically detected venous thromboembolic events.ConclusionThis pilot study has shown promising results for peri-articular TXA during TKA. Additional, larger studies are needed to confirm our results and be powered to show differences in efficacy and safety of peri-articular vs. IV TXA.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT02829346. Retrospectively registered: 07/11/2016.

Background A bulky compression dressing (Robert Jones bandage) is commonly used after TKA to reduce blood loss, pain, and swelling. However, it is unclear whether these dressings in fact reduce blood loss.

Background Tranexamic acid (TXA) is widely accepted as an effective method for reducing blood loss after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). As different routes of local TXA administration have been proposed to minimize systemic complications, we aimed to investigate the effectiveness and systemic absorption of peri-articular (PA) and intra-articular (IA) administration of TXA after primary TKA. Methods In a randomized controlled trial of patients scheduled for unilateral primary TKA, 108 were assigned to receive PA-TXA (15 mg/kg), IA-TXA (2 g), or no TXA injection. We assessed total blood loss, blood transfusion rate, and hemoglobin level changes 48 hours after surgery. Postoperative serum TXA levels, complications, and clinical symptoms of venous thromboembolism events were also evaluated. Results Total blood loss, hemoglobin level decreases, and blood transfusion rates in both TXA groups were significantly lower than those in the control group ( P < .05), without significant differences between PA and IA groups 48 hours after surgery. Serum TXA levels in the IA group were significantly higher than those in the PA cohort at 2 hours (28.2 mg/L vs 15.6 mg/L, P < .01) and 24 hours (4.4 mg/L vs 1.7 mg/L, P < .01) postoperatively. No wound complications were found in both TXA groups, but 14% of the control group developed subcutaneous ecchymoses. No evidence of venous thromboembolism events was reported. Conclusions PA-TXA is an excellent alternative route of local TXA injection to decrease postoperative blood loss after TKA. PA-TXA demonstrated lower levels of postoperative serum TXA, which may be beneficial for high-risk patients.

Introduction. The Sahastara (SHT) remedy is a Thai traditional medicine that has been acknowledged in the Thai National List of Essential Medicine and has been used as an alternative medicine to treat knee osteoarthritis. Although SHT remedies have been used in Thai traditional medical practices for a long period of time, there are few reports on their clinical trials. Aim of the Study. To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of the SHT remedy in treating OA of the knee when compared to diclofenac. Methods. A phase 2, double-blind, randomized, and controlled trial study with a purpose to determine the clinical efficacy and safety of SHT in comparison with diclofenac for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Sixty-six patients, ages between 45 and 80 years of age, were randomly allocated into 2 groups. The SHT group received 1,000 mg of SHT powdered capsules 3 times per day, orally before meals, while another group received 25 mg of diclofenac sodium capsules 3 times a day, orally after meals for 28 days. All patients were followed up at 14 and 28 days for the evaluation of the efficacy and safety by using clinical examinations, blood tests, a visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, and the 100-meter walktime test. Improvement on the quality of life was also assessed by the WOMAC index. Results. There were 31 and 30 patients in SHT and diclofenac groups, respectively, who had completed the study. Both medications have shown to significantly reduce the VAS for pain, and significantly improve the 100-meter walktime test and the WOMAC index score. However, there were no differences in the efficacy between the two groups. The blood chemistry showed no toxicity on renal and/or liver functions after taking SHT for 28 days but the patients who took diclofenac showed significant increases in their AST, ALT, and ALP. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure slightly increased in the diclofenac group but the SHT group did not effect on blood pressure. Conclusions. The SHT remedy is similar to diclofenac in all evaluating symptoms of OA knee. However, the SHT remedy has shown to be a good alternative treatment for OA knee with less systemic side effects when it was compared with diclofenac.