Background
Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a well-established procedure for end-state arthritis of knee with complications such as swelling and pain. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of mirabilite with ice pack versus ice pack alone on relieving pain, reducing swelling, range of motion (ROM), and serum CRP level in patients after TKA.
Methods
Eighty patients undergoing primary unilateral TKA were randomly assigned to two groups (MIP group and WIP group). We used VAS to measure knee pain at 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h after the surgery respectively. Knee swelling degree was evaluated by measuring the girth of leg at the center of patella and 10 cm above and below it at the same frequency. The active ROM of the knee was measured by using a universal goniometer of plastic material at 72 h postoperatively. The serum CRP level was also measured at 72 h postoperatively.
Results
The MIP group showed statistically significant lower knee girth at 48 h (p༜0.05), 72 h (p < 0.05) postoperatively and VAS score at 72 h (P = 0.018) at postoperatively after TKA than WIP group. The ROM of MIP group were significantly wider than WIP group (P = 0.024). The CRP level (P = 0.036) and length of stay (LOS) (P = 0.037) of MIP group were significantly lower than WIP group.
Conclusions
Mirabilite with ice pack after TKA showed superiority in relieving pain, reducing swelling, and improving ROM than ice pack alone.
Trial registration:
Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR), ChiCTR-OCN-15006356. Registered 6 MAY 2015, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=10927