Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 23, 2026
Author Spotlight: Implementing the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Concept in Rehabilitation Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Published on: March 1, 2024
Intra-articular Injection of Tranexamic Acid Reduced Postoperative Hemarthrosis in Arthroscopic Anterior Cruciate
En-Rung Chiang1, Kun-Hui Chen1, Shih-Tien Wang1
1Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, and National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.
Purpose:
To evaluate the effect of intra-articular injection of tranexamic acid (TXA) in patients receiving arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR).
Methods:
A total of 304 patients were included in this study, which was performed between August 2017 and April 2018. Single-bundle reconstructions using autologous hamstring tendon grafts were performed in all patients. Patients were randomized into 2 groups: Group 1 patients (TXA group) received the index procedure with a 10-mL intra-articular injection of TXA (100 mg/mL). Group 2 patients (control group) received the index procedure without TXA injections. An intra-articular suction drain was placed in the joint and clamped for 2 hours after the procedure. The volume of drainage was recorded 24 hours after surgery. Clinical evaluations using the International Knee Documentation Committee functional score, range of motion, and a visual analog scale pain score were performed on day 3 and at week 4 postoperatively.
Results:
Twenty-four hours after surgery, a significant decrease in the amount of drainage was observed in patients receiving intra-articular injections (TXA group, 56.1 ± 34.1 mL; control group, 80.1 ± 48 mL; P < .05). On day 3 and at week 4, significantly reduced pain scores were reported in the TXA group. However, at week 4, clinical function scores did not show significant differences between the 2 groups.
Conclusions:
Intra-articular injection of TXA could significantly reduce postoperative intra-articular bleeding in the first 24 hours in patients receiving arthroscopic ACLR. TXA injection may also decrease pain and the grade of hemarthrosis in the early postoperative period. No systemic side effects or need for aspiration was noted during the follow-up period. Therefore, intra-articular injection of TXA could be considered an effective and relatively safe solution to reduce postoperative bleeding and pain in ACLR patients.
Level Of Evidence:
Level II, prospective comparative study.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Bioequivalence Experimental Study Designs: Completely Randomized and Randomized Block Designs
01:04Random Error
01:09Random Variables
Uppercase letters such as X or Y denote a random variable. Lowercase letters like x or y denote the value of a random variable. If X is a random variable, then X is written in words, and x is given as a number.
For example, let X = the...
01:13Randomized Experiments
Simple randomization
Simple...
02:43Nucleic Acids
DNA and RNA
The two main types of nucleic acids are deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). DNA is the genetic material in all living organisms, ranging from single-celled bacteria to multicellular mammals. It is in the nucleus of eukaryotes and in the organelles, chloroplasts, and mitochondria. In prokaryotes,...
01:20Random and Systematic Errors