Bilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty, Osteoarthritis
Conditions
Brief summary
This randomized controlled trial is designed to determine the effect of suction drain usage on the reduction of postoperative swelling following total knee replacement. Furthermore, this study will determine the relationship between postoperative swelling and quadriceps muscle function. This study will be performed in a cohort of patients undergoing bilateral total knee replacement and the suction intra-articular drain will be randomized to one of the two operative knees prior to surgery.
Detailed description
This study has two primary aims: 1) to determine the effects of intra-articular suction drain use, placed during total knee arthroplasty (TKA), on postoperative knee joint effusion, which is the collection of fluid in the joint capsule, and lower extremity swelling compared to a TKA without the use of an intra-articular drain and, 2) to describe the relationship between postoperative lower extremity swelling and quadriceps function (strength and activation). The use of intra-articular drains during TKA surgery has been highly disputed, due to the fear of increasing risk of infection from a secondary incision site, however, past studies have found no increased risk of complication from drain use. Furthermore, studies have shown that drain use may reduce the amount of hidden blood loss, or blood that is collected in the intra-articular space. Of interest, effusion may be associated with decreased quadriceps function. Previous research examining the influence of knee effusion on quadriceps function has shown that with laboratory-induced acute knee effusion, quadriceps activation and force production are reduced. However, previous findings lack the ability to inform care for patients following TKA due to the acute nature of the effusion and the inability to translate findings from healthy individuals to a clinical population. This study has the potential to greatly improve care for patients undergoing TKA by informing the surgical procedure while also providing important evidence for the influence of postoperative swelling on quadriceps muscle function. In order to maintain patient blinding, a non-functional subcutaneous drain will be placed in the non-randomized knee. Patients will be blinded to any fluid output from the intra-articular drain. A medial parapatellar approach will be utilized for exposure of the knee. All TKAs will be performed using a gap balancing technique with substitution of the posterior collateral ligament (PCL). In all cases, a tensioning device will be used to establish balanced, symmetrical flexion and extension spaces. All TKA procedures will utilize cemented implants. Randomly assigned drains (intra-articular or subcutaneous) will be placed in respective knees before closure. All patients will be treated with Tranexamic Acid intravenously to standardize blood loss and effusion. All patients will be provided standard rehabilitation protocol during their inpatient stay. After hospital discharge, patients will be encouraged to receive outpatient physical therapy 2-3 times per week for 6 weeks.
Interventions
PROCEDUREDrain
One randomized knee will be assigned to receive an intra-articular drain procedure following bilateral total knee arthroplasty. The drain will be removed 24 hours post-operatively. The patient will be blinded to fluid output from intra-articular drain.
PROCEDURENo Drain
The contralateral knee will be assigned to a placebo drain procedure following bilateral total knee arthroplasty. This will blind the patient as to which knee contains the functioning intra-articular drain. A non-suction/ non-functional subcutaneous drain will act as the placebo drain. This drain will not output any fluid and will also be removed 24 hours after post-operatively.
Sponsors
University of Colorado, Denver
CommonSpirit Health
Colorado Joint Replacement
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
No minimum to 70 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Age ≤ 70 years * Undergoing bilateral, simultaneous, primary knee replacements
Exclusion criteria
* neurological, vascular or cardiac problems that limit function * unstable orthopedic conditions that limit functional performance * previous history of inflammatory arthritis or other inflammatory systemic conditions * previous history of deep vein thrombosis in either lower extremity * lymphedema or other conditions that lead to lower extremity edema that may influence the outcomes of the study.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Extremity Isomechanical Dynomometery | 2 Weeks Post-Operative | Knee Extensor Strength |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Extremity Hand Held Dyanmometry | 48 hours Post-Operative | Knee Extensor strength |
| Clinical Quadriceps Activation Battery | Pre-Operative | Isometric Quadriceps Set, Knee Extension Lag Test, Straight Leg Raise- Scale 0-6 (2 points for each test) |
| Bioelectrical Impedance for Swelling | Pre-Operative | Using an RJL Systems Quantum Bioelectrical Impedance device, 4 electrodes will be placed on the subject's lower extremity (2 on calculated area of dorsum of foot, 2 on calculated area of anterior surface of thigh). A 425 microamp current at frequency 50kHz will be delivered to 2 electrodes. The remaining 2 electrodes will measure the voltage drop (in ohms) based on the resistance from body water content (swelling) |
| Circumferential Measure of Swelling | Pre-Operative | Using weighted, locking measuring tape, girth measurements will be taken at superior patellar pole and 10 cm proximal from superior patellar pole |
| Lower Extremity Isomechanical Dynomometery | Pre-Operative | Knee Extensor strength |
| Knee Pain Measured by Visual Analog Scale | Pre-Operative | — |
| Knee Flexion Range of Motion | Pre-Operative | Active and Passive Range of Motion Measured with Goniometer |
| Knee Extension Range of Motion | Pre-Operative | Active and Passive Range of Motion Measured with Goniometer |
| Diagnostic Ultrasound Measure of Effusion | Pre-Operative | Trained ultrasonagrapher will quantify the depth of effusion by summing the mm of effusion at three primary recesses (suprapatellar, medial parapatellar, lateral parapatellar). Diagnotic ultrasound will be performed with subject supine and knee flexed 30 degrees |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed