[Purpose]. There have been only a few reports about the efficacy of postoperative cryotherapy following total hip arthroplasty (THA), and past studies have described that local cooling is efficacy for pain relief. The purpose of this study is whether the continuous local cooling following THA is effective for pain relief and the reduction of blood loss, swelling, and the duration of hospital stay. [Materials and Methods]. Thirty-eight patients (39 hips) underwent primary cementless THA for osteoarthritis and were divided into a cryotherapy group (30 subjects; from Apr. 2013 to Oct. 2013) and a control group (9 subjects; from Nov. 2012 to Mar. 2013). In the cryotherapy group, a continuous cooling pad was applied on the surgical wound and the thigh with a cloth anchor band (CF-3000, Sigmax, Japan) with the cooling temperature set to a constant 5°C for 72 hours immediately after surgery. Blood was collected on postoperative days 1,4,7,14, and 21 to determine Hb, CK, and CRP levels. Postoperative pain of the hip was scored by using a visual analog scale questionnaire on postoperative days 1 to 28. Total doses of selecoxib and dicrofenac sodium used for pain relief were measured. The circumference of patellar superior border was measured on postoperative days 4,7,14, and 28. The unpaired t-test was used for blood tests as well as for comparisons between the cryotherapy and control groups, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for the analysis of age, BMI, approach of the surgery, analgesic use, pain scores, the circumference of the thigh and the duration of hospital stay. [Results]. There were no significant differences in age (p = 0.605), BMI (p = 0.790), approach of the surgery (p = 0.572), duration of the surgery (p = 0.117), blood loss during surgery (p = 0.739), or hospital stay (p = 0.169) between the cryotherapy and the control. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in CK, CRP levels, or pain scores. However, Hb levels measured postoperatively in only day 4 and the total dose of selecoxib was used for pain relief were significantly lower for the cryotherapy group than for the control group, respectively (p = 0.028, p = 0.003), and the total dose of dicrofenac sodium was tend to be significant lower for the cryotherapy group. (p = 0.070). The circumference of patellar superior border measured postoperatively in only day 4 was significantly lower for the cryotherapy group than for the control group (p = 0.010). No complications such as skin problems or neuroparalysis were observed. [Discussion]. This study found the reduction of blood loss, swelling on the patellar superior border, and the total dose of selecoxib for the patients undergoing cryotherapy. However, the pain-relief efficacy of postoperative cryotherapy has not been recognized. Postoperative continuous cryotheraapy is a simple, noninvasive, and effective approach for the reduction of blood loss and swelling following THA

Background of study. Total Knee Replacement (TKR) is one of the commonest elective arthroplasty operations. Crepe dressings are used following TKR by most surgeons as it may provide comfort and hemostasis through external pressure however, may reduce early range of motion (ROM). Avoiding crepe dressings after TKR saves operating time, avoids bulky dressings (which may reduce ROM) and allows interventions such as cryotherapy in the early post-operative period. There are no published studies comparing the use of crepe dressing after TKR with an impermeable dressing alone. Materials and Methods. We did a retrospective study, analysing patients who had a TKR with the use of crepe dressings compared with patients who had an impermeable dressing alone. All patients had cruciate retaining PFC Implants through the medial para-patellar approach. We compared ROM (at initial physio contact and on discharge), rate of wound leakage, opioid requirements and duration of inpatient stay. Results. Data from 40 patients with similar demographics was analysed; 20 in each group. There was no significant difference in; the ROM at initial physiotherapy contact and at discharge (P< 0.01), rate of wound leakage, opioid use and pain score during inpatient stay. The duration of inpatient stay was shorter in patients in whom a crepe dressing was not used. Conclusion. Avoiding the use of Crepe dressings after TKR does not improve early ROM, pain scores, opioid use or wound leakage in the immediate post-operative period. The duration of inpatient stay was shorter without a crepe dressing. Therefore, both practices can be safely used in clinical practice

Aims

Currently, there is no single, comprehensive national guideline for analgesic strategies for total joint replacement. We compared inpatient and outpatient opioid requirements following total hip arthroplasty (THA) versus total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in order to determine risk factors for increased inpatient and outpatient opioid requirements following total hip or knee arthroplasty.

We present seven patients with recurrent haemarthroses after total knee arthroplasty, caused by an inherent platelet function defect. These patients developed painful knee swelling, persistent bleeding and/or wound breakdown, a platelet factor 3 availability defect being identified in all cases. Surgical exploration, with joint debridement, lavage and synovectomy, was performed in four patients who did not improve with conservative therapy. Histopathological examination of synovium revealed a focal synovial reaction with histiocytic infiltration, and occasional foreign-body giant cells. One patient required an early revision because of aseptic loosening of their tibial component. The condition was treated by single-donor platelet transfusions with good results. The diagnosis, management, and relevance of this disorder are discussed.