PLATELET-RICH PLASMA (PRP) AND TRANEXAMIC ACID (TXA) APPLIED IN TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Biomaterials Science

Background:

• Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a common procedure for knee osteoarthritis.
• Minimizing blood loss and optimizing postoperative recovery are critical in TKA.
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and tranexamic acid (TXA) are explored for their hemostatic and functional benefits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy of PRP and TXA in TKA.
• To evaluate their impact on postoperative hemoglobin levels, pain, and knee function.

Main Methods:

• Randomized controlled trial involving 84 patients undergoing TKA.
• Patients were assigned to TXA, PRP, or combined PRP+TXA groups.
• Hemoglobin, pain, and knee flexion were monitored up to two years postoperatively.

Main Results:

• TXA significantly reduced hemoglobin drop at 48 hours compared to control and PRP groups (p <0.01).
• TXA demonstrated superior pain reduction at 24 and 48 hours (p <0.01).
• TXA improved knee flexion gain within 24 hours postoperatively (p <0.05).

Conclusions:

• TXA is effective in mitigating blood loss, reducing pain, and enhancing early knee mobility after TKA.
• PRP showed limited benefits in reducing bleeding or improving overall knee function.
• PRP provided some advantage in controlling postoperative pain at 48 hours.