Updates in Enhanced Recovery Pathways for Total Knee Arthroplasty

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Anesthesiology
• Gerontology

Background:

• Over 800,000 total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) are performed annually in the US, costing over $18 billion.
• Rising prevalence of knee osteoarthritis necessitates improved patient outcomes and cost-effective treatments.
• Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols are increasingly vital for TKA patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the evidence supporting ERAS strategies specifically for orthopedic patients undergoing TKA.
• To highlight the importance of preoperative interventions in optimizing surgical outcomes.
• To demonstrate how ERAS protocols can reduce complications and hospital stays.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on ERAS protocols in TKA.
• Analysis of preoperative interventions such as anemia correction, nutritional support, smoking cessation, and carbohydrate loading.
• Evaluation of ERAS impact on transfusion rates, perioperative complications, and recovery.

Main Results:

• Preoperative interventions in ERAS are associated with reduced transfusion rates.
• ERAS strategies can significantly decrease perioperative complications following TKA.
• Optimized preoperative conditions contribute to improved patient recovery and shorter hospital stays.

Conclusions:

• ERAS protocols offer a comprehensive approach to improving TKA patient care.
• Implementing evidence-based ERAS strategies is crucial for enhancing recovery and managing costs in knee replacement surgery.
• Tailored preoperative optimization is key to successful TKA outcomes within ERAS frameworks.