Medizinische Universität Graz Austria/Österreich - Forschungsportal - Medical University of Graz
Gewählte Publikation:
Hasenhütl, S.
Computer-assisted cryotherapy after TKA
[ Diplomarbeit ] Medical University of Graz; 2014. pp. 73
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- Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz:
- Betreuer*innen:
- Glehr Mathias
- Sadoghi Patrick
- Altmetrics:
- Abstract:
- Background and Objectives: Although local cold application is supposed to have reasonable advantages, the universally valid consensus regarding its use after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is still missing. In this context the aim of this prospective, randomized and single blinded study was to evaluate the safety, set primary objective, and efficiency, set secondary objective, of a new cryotherapeutical device, the cTreatment® System, in patients undergoing primary and unilateral TKA surgery compared to the standard cold therapy regimen. Methods: 97 patients were randomized into two groups receiving the cTreatment® or the standard cold therapy protocol with cold pack application until six days after the surgical intervention. Throughout the hospital stay the potential occurrence of adverse effects was observed. The secondary objectives consisting of knee girth, joint mobility and pain intensity were measured on admission day, second postoperative day (POD), and the fourth and sixth day after surgery. Additionally the length of hospitalisation and total opiate consumption were recorded. Results: No adverse effects were found in both study groups. There were no statistically significant differences between groups regarding the girth measurements, patient controlled analgesia (PCA) consumption, numeric rating scale (NRS) in rest and length of hospital stay. The NRS score in motion was significantly lower in the cTreatment® group on POD two (P = 0,034). Also statistically significant divergences to the benefit of the cTreatment® were detected regarding the knee mobility on POD six concerning both flexion, reaching averaged 6,6 degrees more (86,2 ± 7; P = 0,021), and extension, reducing the deficiency to -1,05 degrees ± 2,33 (P = 0,022). Conclusion: The cTreatment® System appears to be a safe procedure. It was possible to prove significant benefits in terms of the postoperative pain and remobilisation, which might be attributed to a reduced inflammatory response, secretion and bleeding. Further research could investigate the economical impact.