Quadriceps-sparing, minimal-incision total knee arthroplasty: a comparative study.

Our study was conducted to compare radiographic alignments and functional outcomes with 2 approaches to minimal-incision total knee arthroplasty (TKA): the minimal-incision medial parapatellar (MP) approach and the quadriceps-sparing (QS) approach with side-cutting instruments. Sixty patients (80 knees) with primary osteoarthritis were randomly assigned to receive MP or QS TKA. Postoperative alignment of the femoral component was significantly less valgus, and postoperative alignment of the tibial component was significantly more varus with the QS approach than with the MP approach. One tibial outlier and 3 femoral outliers were observed with QS TKA. The overall postoperative hip-knee-ankle axis was more varus, and surgical time was longer with QS TKA. Short-term isokinetic peak muscle torque, postoperative pain, and functional outcomes did not differ between the approaches.

Perioperative celecoxib administration for pain management after total knee arthroplasty - a randomized, controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are recommended for multimodal postoperative pain management. We evaluated opioid-sparing effects and rehabilitative results after perioperative celecoxib administration for total knee arthroplasty. METHODS: This was a prospective, randomized, observer-blind control study. Eighty patients that underwent total knee arthroplasty were randomized into two groups of 40 each. The study group received a single 400 mg dose of celecoxib, one hour before surgery, and 200 mg of celecoxib every 12 hours for five days, along with patient-controlled analgesic (PCA) morphine. The control group received only PCA morphine for postoperative pain management. Visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores, active range of motion (ROM), total opioid use and postoperative nausea/vomiting were analyzed. RESULTS: Groups were comparable for age, pre-operative ROM, operation duration and intraoperative blood loss. Resting VAS pain scores improved significantly in the celecoxib group, compared with controls, at 48 hrs (2.13 +/- 1.68 vs. 3.43 +/- 1.50, p = 0.03) and 72 hrs (1.78 +/- 1.66 vs. 3.17 +/- 2.01, p = 0.02) after surgery. Active ROM also increased significantly in the patients that received celecoxib, especially in the first 72 hrs [40.8 degrees +/- 17.3 degrees vs. 25.8 degrees +/- 11.5 degrees , p = 0.01 (day 1); 60.7 degrees +/- 18.1 degrees vs. 45.0 degrees +/- 17.3 degrees , p = 0.004 (day 2); 77.7 degrees +/- 15.1 degrees vs. 64.3 degrees +/- 16.9 degrees , p = 0.004 (day 3)]. Opioid requirements decreased about 40% (p = 0.03) in the celecoxib group. Although patients suffering from post-operative nausea/vomiting decreased from 43% in control group to 28% in celecoxib group, this was not significant (p = 0.57). There were no differences in blood loss (intra- and postoperative) between the groups. Celecoxib resulted in no significant increase in the need for blood transfusions. CONCLUSION: Perioperative celecoxib significantly improved postoperative resting pain scores at 48 and 72 hrs, opioid consumption, and active ROM in the first three days after total knee arthroplasty, without increasing the risks of bleeding. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00598234.