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The use of knee splints after total knee replacements
M Zenios1, P Wykes, D S Johnson
1North Manchester General Hospital, Manchester, UK. m_zenios@hotmail.com
The Knee
|July 20, 2002
Summary
Knee splints after total knee replacement did not improve outcomes. Patients without splints showed better knee flexion but had more wound bleeding, with similar transfusion needs. Evidence does not support routine splint use post-surgery.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Total knee replacement (TKR) is a common procedure to alleviate pain and restore function.
- Post-operative management strategies, including the use of knee splints, aim to optimize recovery.
- The necessity and efficacy of knee splints following TKR remain debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if knee splints are necessary after total knee replacement.
- To evaluate the impact of knee splints on key post-operative recovery parameters.
Main Methods:
- A randomized prospective study involving 81 patients undergoing TKR.
- Patients were allocated to either a 'splint' or 'no splint' group post-operatively.
- Key parameters measured included range of motion, straight leg raise time, wound drainage, and analgesia requirements.
Main Results:
- The 'no splint' group demonstrated significantly greater knee flexion at 5 days and 6 weeks post-operatively.
- Patients in the 'no splint' group experienced significantly more wound bleeding.
- Transfusion requirements and other measured parameters showed no significant differences between the groups.
Conclusions:
- There is no evidence to support the routine use of knee splints following total knee arthroplasty.
- Clinical decision-making regarding post-TKR splint use should consider the trade-off between improved flexion and increased wound drainage.